* Police, security guards among those killed in union feud
* Shares of Lonmin drop, platinum price up 2 pct
* Large police operation includes helicopters, armoured cars
* AMCU union accused of poaching larger NUM’s members
(Adds detail on nature of stoppage, ultimatum)
By Sherilee Lakmidas and John Mkhize
MARIKANA, South Africa, Aug 14 (Reuters) – The world’s no. 3
platinum producer Lonmin has been forced to
freeze mining at its South African operations after violence
between rival unions killed at least nine people.
Lonmin, already struggling with low prices and weak demand,
may miss its annual production target of 750,000 ounces as the
quarter to the end of September is typically its best. Its share
price fell more than 4 percent in London and Johannesburg.
The London-based company accounts for 12 percent of global
platinum output and the shutdown drove the spot price of the
precious metal as much as 2 percent higher.
Two policemen and two security guards were among those
killed in the clashes from Friday to Monday at the Marikana
mine, about 100 km (60 miles) northwest of Johannesburg.
Continued…
