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Mines set for South Africa strike S African miners strike on safety
(about 8 hours later)
South African mine workers are starting a one-day strike in protest at poor safety in the country's mines. South African mine workers have begun a one-day strike in protest at poor safety in the country's mines.
About 240,000 workers are to take part in the 24-hour stoppage, the first countrywide strike by miners. About 240,000 workers are taking part in the stoppage - the first countrywide strike by miners over safety issues.
About 40,000 workers are expected to join a protest march in Johannesburg later in the day. Mineworkers are gathering in central Johannesburg for a protest march expected to draw up to 40,000 people.
More than 180 workers have been killed this year in the country's mines, with another two dying in recent days, slightly fewer than 200 deaths in 2006. More than 180 workers have been killed this year in the country's mines, with another two dying in recent days - slightly fewer than 200 deaths in 2006.
A strike would stop work at global firms such as AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields and Harmony, hurting output and revenues and - unions hope - pressuring companies to spend more on safety. The strike is expected to halt work at global firms such as AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields and Harmony, hurting output and revenues and - unions hope - pressuring companies to spend more on safety.
Unions also hope the strike will force government to prosecute negligent mine owners.Unions also hope the strike will force government to prosecute negligent mine owners.
About 3,000 workers were trapped underground in OctoberAbout 3,000 workers were trapped underground in October
"Workers are saying enough is enough. Safety is needed now," said Erick Gcilitshana, the health and safety head of the National Union of Mineworkers, which is organising the strike."Workers are saying enough is enough. Safety is needed now," said Erick Gcilitshana, the health and safety head of the National Union of Mineworkers, which is organising the strike.
"The industry made a lot of empty commitments and the fatality rates are forever rising to the stars...employers need to take a leadership role and invest in safety in the same way they invest in production," he added."The industry made a lot of empty commitments and the fatality rates are forever rising to the stars...employers need to take a leadership role and invest in safety in the same way they invest in production," he added.
Fatal reputationFatal reputation
South Africa is Africa's biggest gold exporter and a large producer of platinum, with some of the deepest mines in the world and one of the world's worst reputations for mine safety.South Africa is Africa's biggest gold exporter and a large producer of platinum, with some of the deepest mines in the world and one of the world's worst reputations for mine safety.
In October, more than 3,000 miners were trapped a mile underground at a Harmony Gold mine, some for as long as 40 hours.In October, more than 3,000 miners were trapped a mile underground at a Harmony Gold mine, some for as long as 40 hours.
None were seriously injured but said Harmony Gold's Patrice Motsepe at the time: "Our safety records both as a company and a country leave much to be desired." None were seriously injured but Harmony Gold's Patrice Motsepe said at the time: "Our safety records both as a company and a country leave much to be desired."
In recent days, more people have died in mining accidents.In recent days, more people have died in mining accidents.
Anglo Platinum shut a shaft at its biggest mine, Rustenburg, after a worker was killed in an accident on Friday.Anglo Platinum shut a shaft at its biggest mine, Rustenburg, after a worker was killed in an accident on Friday.
Angloplat - majority owned by Anglo Platinum - said on Monday that a worker had been killed at one of its mines on Saturday. Angloplats - majority owned by Anglo Platinum - said on Monday that a worker had been killed at one of its mines on Saturday.
A separate audit into mining may force mining firms to invest in mine safety.A separate audit into mining may force mining firms to invest in mine safety.
"The strike is just a prelude of things to come, things are coming to a head," Nick Goodwin, a resources analyst, told Reuters. "The strike is just a prelude of things to come, things are coming to a head," Nick Goodwin, a resources analyst, told Reuters news agency.
"Any changes to mine design as a result of this audit would affect the costs, and hurt the company's bottom line," he added."Any changes to mine design as a result of this audit would affect the costs, and hurt the company's bottom line," he added.