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S African miners strike on safety S African miners strike on safety
(39 minutes later)
South African mine workers are holding a one-day strike in protest at poor safety in the country's mines.South African mine workers are holding a one-day strike in protest at poor safety in the country's mines.
Some 240,000 people were expected to take part in the first countrywide stoppage by miners over safety issues.Some 240,000 people were expected to take part in the first countrywide stoppage by miners over safety issues.
In Johannesburg, protesters are gathering for a march which organisers hope will draw 40,000 people.In Johannesburg, protesters are gathering for a march which organisers hope will draw 40,000 people.
At least 200 workers have been killed this year in the country's mines, including three dying in recent days - more than the 199 who died in 2006. At least 200 workers have been killed this year in the country's mines - including three in recent days - more than the 199 who died in 2006.
South Africa is the continent's biggest gold exporter and a large producer of platinum, with some of the deepest mines in the world and one of the worst reputations for mine safety.South Africa is the continent's biggest gold exporter and a large producer of platinum, with some of the deepest mines in the world and one of the worst reputations for mine safety.
'Empty commitments''Empty commitments'
The strike - called by South Africa's National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) - is expected to halt work at more than 60 mining companies such as AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields and Harmony, hurting output and revenues.The strike - called by South Africa's National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) - is expected to halt work at more than 60 mining companies such as AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields and Harmony, hurting output and revenues.
Workers are saying enough is enough Erick GcilitshanaNational Union of MineworkersWorkers are saying enough is enough Erick GcilitshanaNational Union of Mineworkers
The union wants to put pressure on firms to spend more on safety and force the government to prosecute negligent mine owners.The union wants to put pressure on firms to spend more on safety and force the government to prosecute negligent mine owners.
It says that with the gold price at its highest level in a quarter of a century, the number one priority for the employers has become production.It says that with the gold price at its highest level in a quarter of a century, the number one priority for the employers has become production.
"Workers are saying enough is enough. Safety is needed now," said Erick Gcilitshana, the NUM health and safety head."Workers are saying enough is enough. Safety is needed now," said Erick Gcilitshana, the NUM health and safety head.
"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.
The NUM expects that some 40,000 people will march in central Johannesburg to the headquarters of South Africa's Chamber of Mines, the industry employer's body, to hand over their demands. Hundreds of mineworkers have gathered in central Johannesburg for the main NUM protest march.
The protesters waved shovels and slogans that read "Mine Safety is a Human Right" and "Blood-dripped profit is the bosses' luxury".
They are to march to the headquarters of South Africa's Chamber of Mines, the industry employer's body, to hand over their demands.
"We share these concerns with the union," Frans Barker, a senior Chamber of Mines official, told the BBC."We share these concerns with the union," Frans Barker, a senior Chamber of Mines official, told the BBC.
"We've agreed with the union that they will go on this work-stoppage, in exchange for which the parties will sit down in the next few weeks and months. And we're going to jointly work out action plans and pledges to address the issue of safety.""We've agreed with the union that they will go on this work-stoppage, in exchange for which the parties will sit down in the next few weeks and months. And we're going to jointly work out action plans and pledges to address the issue of safety."
Key sector
The strike comes as a safety audit into mining - ordered by President Thabo Mbeki - is due to start later this month.The strike comes as a safety audit into mining - ordered by President Thabo Mbeki - is due to start later this month.
Fatal reputation About 3,000 workers were trapped underground in OctoberIn October, more than 3,000 miners were trapped a mile (1.6km) underground at a Harmony Gold mine, some for as long as 40 hours.
South Africa's mines have one of the world's worst safety records. They were all rescued 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."
About 3,000 workers were trapped underground in October
In October, more than 3,000 miners were trapped a mile (1.6km) underground at a Harmony Gold mine, some for as long as 40 hours.
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, three people have been killed in separate accidents.
South Africa's mining sector accounts for some 16% of the country's GDP.South Africa's mining sector accounts for some 16% of the country's GDP.