RUSTENBURG – Tension was rising outside the Aquarius Platinum mine in Rustenburg on Friday following ongoing strikes.

Police fired teargas at protesters from Anglo Platinum and Aquarius Platinum while they were marching to the Xstrata mine.

It was understood 10 people were arrested.

The miners disappeared into the informal settlements in the area following a march aimed at ending all mining operations in Rustenburg.

Police fired teargas and stun grenades to disperse hundreds of marching workers after warning them that the gathering was illegal.

Eyewitness News can confirm at least one of the marchers was assaulted by the mine’s private security before being taken into custody.

Those arrested were held in police nyalas outside the Aquarius Platinum mine but the authorities would not say where they would be taken.

The striking miners were also planning on marching to the nearby Murray and Roberts mine to close down the shafts.

The workers want the mines to address their grievances before they return to work. 

They are demanding a basic salary of R12,500. 

They acknowledged an agreement that exists with management but they said it had not been honoured.