Goldminers due to launch strike

AROUND 100,000 South African gold miners were due to launch the first industry-wide strike in 18 years last night to press demands for better wages, the country’s biggest mining union said.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said talks with individual companies were planned for last night, but that even if any improved wage offers were forthcoming, it would be too late to call off the strike.

South Africa’s gold industry is the biggest producer of bullion in the world, accounting for around 15% of total global output, and the mining sector contributes about 8% to the nation’s gross domestic product.