Vancouver-based Atlatsa Resources Corp. (TSXV:ATL) this morning announced that it has "dismissed" 2,161 workers that have been taking part in "unprotected industrial action" at the company's Bokoni platinum mines in South Africa.
On October 1, the company confirmed that mine employees had started job action at the mine, which is a joint venture with Anglo American Platinum Ltd. As of October 1, mine attendance was below 20%.
In announcing the unrest, Atlatsa said that the company has a labour agreement in place that runs to June 20, 2013. It stated that it would be applying for a Labour Court order banning "unprotected industrial action" at the mine premises.
The company announced October 2 that it had been granted the court order.
In this morning's update, Atlatsa stated said that fired employees have until end of day tomorrow to appeal their dismissal.
"Bokoni management continues to work with recognized employee representatives, the authorities and other stakeholders to support the restoration of law and order to the affected areas and to allow dismissed employees who wish to appeal their dismissal to return to work and do so without threat or intimidation."
The CBC has reported on violence at the company's Rustenburg mines, with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets Thursday to disperse striking miners armed with crude weapons. One miner is reported to have died from stomach wounds apparently caused by rubber bullets.
