Manufacturing weighed down by strike
The purchasing managers index has dropped to a near five-year low as a four-month long strike in the platinum belt continues.
Platinum
Platinum industry: Golden goose – or dying duck?
Platinum producers have been overproducing for many years – even as demand has been declining, writes Lisa Steyn.
Palladium prices rise to three-year high on SA strike concerns
The metal’s futures for June delivery have risen to $823 an ounce, the highest since August 2011 as a result of concerns about a supply shortage.
Platinum belt ‘votes for change’ after strike and Marikana
The mining strikes that have plagued the platinum belt in Rustenburg over the past two years are playing a pivotal role in how residents vote.
Amcu rejects latest platinum settlement offer
Amcu has come out strongly against the latest offer to end the three-month-long strike in the platinum sector demanding an "honourable settlement".
Amcu warns of instability
Mining companies approaching workers directly with their latest offer could lead to instability on the platinum belt, according to the union.
Platinum settles into global glut rut
Despite the strike and the odd wobble, the worldwide surplus has kept its price steady, writes Lisa Steyn.
Platinum mines warn they can’t serve suppliers
Anglo American Platinum and Lonmin have sent force majeure notices to some suppliers of goods and services to its strike-affected operations.
Amcu platinum strike: Breaking point is fast approaching
With no end in sight for Amcu’s strike in the platinum sector, an analyst has predicted producers will "implement extreme measures" to break protests.
Stricken platinum workers seek strike end, say producers
Platinum companies have claimed to be in touch with employees who want to come back to work but fear being killed by protesters if they do.
Pressure rises in the platinum belt
Hunger gnaws at their resolve, but striking miners won’t be swayed from their R12 500 goal.
Zim: Govt favouritism irks mines
Platinum mines linked to Robert Mugabe’s government are being excused from funding a $3-billion refinery plant.
Platinum rides on the weak rand
The mining companies are enjoying some respite from the effects of the latest strike.
Amcu talks with platinum sector postponed
Talks aimed at resolving an Amcu strike on the platinum belt will resume on Monday and contine for three days.
New strikes set to be Amcu’s biggest test yet
Amcu will face its biggest hurdle yet as strikes in the platinum and gold industry reveal wide divisions within the union.
Rand extends worst currency slide this month amid labour unrest
The rand dropped 1.4% in the past few days as strikes at platinum mines continue.
Amcu to present compromise on jobs to striking members
Anglo American Platinum’s majority union says its members will decide whether to go back to work at the mine after hearing a new job-cut proposal.
Healing the wounds
Who should take responsibility for reconciling workers and management?
Gold rises as US Fed backs sustained stimulus
Gold climbed higher than it has done in the last two weeks after Federal Reserve chair Ben Bernanke indicated stimulus would be introduced slowly.
Gold retreats to one-month low on Fed comments
Commodities react immediately to the US announcement that it plans to taper off quantitative easing.
South Africa risks losing 145 500 mine jobs by 2015, analyst says
According to Nomura International, platinum companies in South Africa, are at risk of losing thousands of jobs as more mines operate at a loss.
China in platinum for the long haul
Far-sighted and apparently hands-off foreign investment is giving new vigour to the platinum sector.
‘Shades of Marikana’ taint platinum
Experts have called for an intervention as union tensions shake an already volatile industry.
Rich land drives claims
A landmark legal case highlights the demands of traditional communities to profit from the platinum mining revolution of the past 20 years.
Platinum miners want Anglo American to dig deeper
Shaft committees from Anglo American Platinum met discreetly in a Rustenburg park to discuss ways of adding impetus to their seven-week strike action.
Platinum’s allure is questionable
To make money from South Africa’s $28-million-a-day platinum industry an investor needs nerves, brains, faith and luck.
Ten things about platinum
The Mail & Guardian brings you ten facts about the precious metal – platinum.
Amplats needs the Midas touch
It will take an innovative leader to steer the miner through the industry crisis, plummeting profits and labour challenges.
Will platinum pull through?
Despite all the price and cost upheavals of platinum, some analysts remain bullish about the metal’s future, writes Lisa Steyn.
Platinum wealth holds no shine for people left in the dust
Throughout the platinum-rich North West, mining communities such as the Bapo Ba Mogale live in poverty. Heidi Swart reports on their story.
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Platinum’s pluses and minuses
In early 2008, when South Africa’s electricity crisis first came to a head and emigration applications soared, the platinum price ratcheted up, too.
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Mining brawl splits community
The Bakubung people near Sun City have become embroiled in a boardroom battle over platinum.
