Workers strike at Anglo’s coal mine in South Africa

Workers strike at Anglo’s coal mine in South AfricaMembers of South Africa’s National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) downed tools Wednesday at Anglo American’s (LON:AAL) Kleinkopje coal mine in South Africa, demanding the removal of the general manager.

“They are on strike as we speak,” NUM spokesman Livhuwani Mammburu told Reuters, adding that 421 of its members were involved in the labour action.

The move comes ahead of wage talks in South Africa’s coal, gold and diamond sectors expected to begin next month.

In March, the NUM said it may seek pay hikes of up to 100% for its lowest paid members, which currently make 6,000 rand ($491) a month in gold, 7,000 rand in coal and 9,000 rand in the diamond sector.

Gold wage agreements expire at the end of June and the industry executives have repeatedly said they cannot afford big increases as they, once again, are dealing with slumping prices, power constraints and falling grades in the world’s deepest mines.

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