Amplats wants to cut 7,000 South African jobs: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/19/us-amplats-jobs-idUSBRE97I0MS20130819
More strikes could be on the cards if they go ahead with it, it looks like they intend to start issuing dismissal notices on 1st Sept. On a related note, I found the link below which claims they cannot easily introduce mechanised processes in Plat mines to replace manual labour, I imagine this gives the unions some leverage. Unfortunately it's a paid sub to get full article. http://www.miningbusiness.net/content/mechanisation-still-far-south-africas-platinum-mines
Anglo American signals it wants to sell off Amplats. Miner's strike is draining capital from the rest of the group. http://www.mining.com/anglo-gives-fresh-signs-of-looking-to-offload-its-platinum-mines-50997/ P.S. to add; Sibayne Gold has shown interest in buying them up http://www.mining.com/sibayne-may-pick-up-sa-platinum-mines-from-distressed-miners-57783/
No deal in wage rises, Anglo plans to move to open cut mines. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-...way-from-labor-intensive-platinum-mining.html
The current tensions between Russia and the Western World could also affect platinum's price. Palladium even more!
