* Union turf war is rocking S.African platinum sector
* Lonmin is world no. 3 producer of precious metal
* Its Western Platinum operation working at reduced capacity
* Latest flare-up signals rivalry is spreading
By Ed Stoddard
JOHANNESBURG, Aug 12 (Reuters) – Two security guards were
hacked to death at a South African mine operated by the world’s
number three platinum producer Lonmin on Sunday
in new violence between rival unions, company officials said.
Lonmin officials said the clashes were between the dominant
National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the upstart Association
of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU). Their turf war for
members shut the world’s largest platinum mine run by Impala
Platinum for 6 weeks earlier this year.
The latest flare-up began on Friday with an illegal strike
by 3,000 rock drill operators at Lonmin’s Western Platinum
operations 100 kms (60 miles) northwest of Johannesburg,
mirroring previous incidents when AMCU has sought to recruit NUM
members.
Continued…
