South African Mine Strike Turns Violent, August 2012

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Credit: Greg Marinovich/Daily Maverick

A series of violent protests, at one of the world's largest platinum-producing mines, led to several deaths and injuries after a shoot-out involving the police and striking mine workers.

The strike by Lonmin's Marikana mine, in the North Western province of South Africa, gained support of the young and old.
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Credit: Greg Marinovich/Daily Maverick

The miners gathered on a hill called Wonderkop after calling for a salary increase from R4,000 to R12,500 a month.
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Credit: Greg Marinovich/Daily Maverick

The protesters were armed.
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Credit: Greg Marinovich/Daily Maverick

"If neither the union nor the employer will listen, we will make them. We will apply objective violence until they are forced to listen to our grievances," said one mine worker.
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Credit: Werner Beukes/SAPA

Police were also on the scene to monitor the strike action.
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Credit: SAPA stringer

After a stand-off, police opened fire.
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Credit: SAPA stringer

The country's police chief says the cops acted in self-defence, and President Jacob Zuma called for peace.

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