The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) says it is meeting on Monday with all its branches to consolidate their salary demands for the gold and coal sectors.

This as South African mines express concern about the NUM’s indication that workers will demand a double digit wage increase this year. The mining industry is still reeling from months of violent strikes where workers demanded salary hikes of between R12 500 and R16 000.

NUM spokesperson, Lesiba Seshoka says the union has taken a decision that workers should receive a double-digit increase. Seshoka says they will meet with the Chamber of Mines next week to present their demands.

Gold producer, Harmony Gold is the latest to post a third-quarter loss caused by production shortfalls following labour unrest last year. Harmony Gold says it fell into the red following the temporary closure of its Kusasalethu mine because of union rivalry and violence.

Analysts say South Africa’s gold, platinum and coal producers have been agreeing to above-inflation wage increases for years, but steeply rising power and other costs mean another round of big wage hikes would push many into the red. 

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