The National Union of Mine Workers is reporting that after a disagreement over wages about 200 contract workers at Harmony Gold’s Kalgold mine in South Africa put down their tools and went on strike.  The union is demanding a 15% wage increase from ASL Mining, the firm that contracted the workers.  However, ASL Mining will only increase wages by 10%.  The union’s main concern is not the figure of wage increase so much as the backdate of wages.  Currently ASL mining has set the backdate from December onwards instead of from May which is usually the case.  Despite the strike Harmony spokeswoman Marian van der Walt states that there is no disruption to production due to built up stockpiles.  Mining and hauling at the operation continues to be at a standstill although blasting and drilling will continue.

A similar issue is arising from Zambia’s copper miners who are threatening to strike if gold mining companies fail to make reasonable pay offers.  Specifically, labor unions such as the Miner’s Union of Zambia want an above inflation increase.  At present the national inflation is at 9.9 percent.