After three years it's renegotiating time again for the precious metal miners salaries. Last time they seriously miscalculated asking an impossible amount of money .When they did not get their way, they turned violent and also embarked on a five month stoppage on the platinum mines. At that time there was a huge surplus of metal and the price kept falling. How ever the mines were harmed some having to close various parts of their mines permanently and others such as Lonro almost going bankrupt. There were strong political overtones to the strike as they hoped that the then government would nationalize the mines. Wisely the government refused as platinum group metals mining and benefication is a very advanced operation that requires great skill .
There were unfortunately populist political overtones to the strike.
The net result was that almost half the miners lost their jobs permanently causing great hardship as the mines raced to mechanise their operations and they eventually accepted the 9% increase that was originally offered.
This time there might be a different outcome with all sides exercising restraint.
