mining
News and articles about work, policy and workers' struggles in manufacturing, research and development, mining and materials around the world.
Zambia: Mine workers wildcat strike
Workers at the First Quantum Kansanshi copper mine have been refusing to work since Wednesday when they noticed that an agreed pay rise had not been properly implemented.
Operations at the Canadian-owned plant have been paralysed.
Allafrica.com reported that the strike started around 05:30 hours when morning shift miners refused to enter the mining premises, claiming they had been underpaid.
A Times reporter found the more than 100 miners gathered at about 100 metres from the main gate around 07:00 hours.
Miners' strikes in North and South America
Miners in Canada, Mexico and Peru are either currently striking or planning strike action.
In Canada the mining group Inco has been forced to cancel deliveries as a strike by 3300 workers at its Sudbury Mine in Ontario. Workers have been on strike for a week after negotiations on a new contract broke down.
Chile: miners and support workers strike
Seeing record prices for raw materials and record profits for mining companies, workers in Chile are demanding better wages and conditions.
At the Collahuasi mine in Chile, one of the world's largest copper mines workers have given notice of a strike to begin Monday, they are demanding an 8% pay increase whereas management has only offered 1%, they are also asking for health and education benefits and a housing stipend.
New Zealand: International solidarity as miners launch indefinite strike
Australian miners refused to cross a picket line yesterday at the Spring Creek coal mine as indefinite industrial action there entered its fourth day.
About 140 Reefton and Dunollie miners were due to meet in Runanga at 1pm to decide their next step.
In an escalation of previous action, the Spring Creek miners walked off the job on Friday morning.
Coal miners across Aotearoa strike after negotiations break down
800 coal miners with the EPMU have been engaged in industrial action since Monday June 25th after negotiations in their multi-employer pay agreement (meca) broke down earlier this month.
The miners are seeking a 5 - 5.5% pay increase, while Solid Energy (which directly employs 1/3 of the miners and the rest indirectly via contractors) has refused to go higher than 4%.
Mexico: miners strike against government interference
Miners in Mexico launched an unlimited wildcat strike on Wednesday last week.
They are calling for the restoration of the head of the Mining and Metal Workers Union, Napoleon Gomez Urrutia, and for improved safety conditions after an accident at a Grupo Mexico mine left 65 of their colleagues dead.
South Africa: Mine workers union rejects pay offer
The National Union of Mine-workers has rejected a 6% offer and is instead demanding that miners receive a 15% increase.
The NUM is acting after a series of high-profile wildcat actions in the Platinum mining industry in South Africa. Prices are high and a small decline in production over the last year has helped create conditions where workers can apply a lot of pressure on management. The South African government is complaining of a skills shortage and warning of the inflationary pressures caused by wage rises.
Sweden: Wildcat strikes break out in mines
Miners at Sweden's state-owned mining company LKAB started the unsanctioned walkout on Monday, and on Tuesday morning work was at a standstill in Kiruna, in the far north of Sweden.
Harry Rantakyrö, chairman of the mineworkers' union told thelocal.se "In Malmberget [in Lappland] there was a complete stoppage in the mines last night. And I have not heard anything other than that it will continue today."
China: explosion kills 15 coal miners
At least 15 workers have been killed after an explosion in a coal mine in the northern province of Shanxi.
The horrendous safety record of chinese mines, as reported previously on libcom, results in around 5000 reported deaths a year. This April was particularly bloody with a a total of 80 workers reported killed or missing in accidents.
Peru: Miner's strike ends
A unlimited strike has come to an end after the goverment agreed to the miners' demands.
Workers for the state-run mining company demanded an increase in their salaries and pensions and an end to the involvement of private companies, especially the use of subcontractors who do not offer benefits such as retirement plans to employees.
