JSE-listed platinum miner, Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), on Thursday confirmed that the wage strike by workers belonging to the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) had started at its Rustenburg, Union and Amandelbult mines.

This comes after AMCU on Monday issued the firm with notice to strike for a better wage offer.

Amplats, the world’s biggest platinum miner, said there was low attendance at these mines, adding it expected the strike action to heavily hit production at the mines.

Amplats confirmed the action was only legal for AMCU members, excluding employees that are members of NUM, NUMSA and UASA.

Workers that on strike will not be paid for every hour they are absent from work.

The firm urged striking workers to respect the rights of other workers to go to work.

Chris Griffith, the CEO at Amplats, said the firm will continue its talks with AMCU.

“We…have accepted the offer by the Deputy President (Kgalema Mothlanthe) for a government

facilitated mediation process in order to find a resolution. Striking is not a constructive solution if we are to return the company to a sustainable financial footing and secure existing jobs,” Griffith said.