Petra Strikes Spread to Koffiefontein Mine

RAPAPORT… Workers are striking at Petra Diamonds’ Koffiefontein mine
in South Africa, adding to industrial action already taking place at two of the
company’s other projects in the country.



South Africa’s National Union of Mineworkers informed the
rough producer of the intention to strike from last Friday, Petra said Thursday.



The miner is in the process of finalizing a new wage
agreement for its operations in South Africa, and had warned investors earlier
this month that there might be labor disruptions as a result of the
negotiations.


Strikes are also affecting underground mining at Petra’s
Finsch and Kimberley operations, though plant treatment is continuing at close
to normal capacity at both places, the company explained. Operations at
Petra’s other South African mine, Cullinan, have escaped any impact, and
production is taking place as normal.


Petra also closed its Williamson mine in Tanzania for four
days this month after national authorities seized a parcel of diamonds from the
deposit over a reported valuation dispute. The company’s ability to export
goods from the mine in future is unclear, it said last week.