JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) - A trade unions says about 10,000 workers are expected to lose their jobs as the mining industry copes with the global financial crisis.
Jaco Kleynhans, a spokesman for the Solidarity union, says eight mines have issued lay off notices to about 9,000 workers and that another 1,000 job losses are expected.
That includes Lonmin's Messina Platinum Mines, where gates were closed Tuesday after the company said it planned to lay off about 1,500 workers.
Platinum is used mainly in the making of automobiles, and the global slowdown has seen a sharp drop in the precious metal's price.
A task force of government officials and mining representatives was set up Monday to try to avert widespread layoffs in the industry. |