Mining: Amcu disputes representation figure

THE BIGGEST union at South Africa’s platinum operations said yesterday that it represented almost two-thirds more gold workers than the industry lobby had estimated. The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) represented about 45 percent of employees, or 40 000 people, at companies including AngloGold Ashanti, union president Joseph Mathunjwa said. The Chamber of Mines estimates the Amcu represents about 28 percent of the 100 000 gold workers. The chamber’s figures were “not true”, Mathunjwa said yesterday. His union plans to submit wage demands to the companies by the end of the month. The Amcu is gaining members in gold after it displaced the National Union of Mineworkers as the biggest representative of platinum employees. – Bloomberg