Johannesburg - All striking miners at five collieries and a char plant owned by diversified mining firm Exxaro Resources have returned to work, with full production likely to resume on Wednesday, the Solidarity trade union said on Monday.
The illegal walkout had threatened supply of coal to state power utility Eskom, which uses the commodity to generate 85 percent of the electricity for Africa's biggest economy. Exxaro is Eskom's second-largest coal supplier.
“All Exxaro workers returned to work today for induction training today and tomorrow. Full production will commence on Wednesday,” Gideon du Plessis, deputy general secretary of Solidarity, told Reuters.
Solidarity's members were not on strike but it represents skilled workers and foremen and so its rank and file knows exactly what is happening at the mines.
Exxaro said it would comment on attendance later on Monday.
The company and the National Union of Mineworkers, which represents all of the striking miners, agreed a deal over the weekend, under which employees will receive a one-off payment of at least 2,800 rand each ($300).
The strike started at two mines on March 5 and spread to other operations as workers pressed for bonuses the company refused to pay because targets had not been met.
The labour strife at Exxaro, which turned violent last week, raised concerns that last year's wildcat mining strikes - which included the police killing of 34 striking platinum miners - could hit the coal sector after causing major damage to platinum and gold producers.
Exxaro shares were up 0.86 percent at 161.49 rand by 11:58 SA time, compared with a flat JSE Top-40 index. - Reuters