Two of the world's three leading platinum producers said they would begin shuttering operations today, the eve of a mass strike which owners fear could spark violence.
Tens of thousands of workers at Impala Platinum, Anglo American Platinum and Lonmin mines will strike from early tomorrow, after their demand to double the minimum monthly wage to USD 1,150 was rejected.
The dispute has pitted the hard-line Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) against mining firms, in a conflict neither can afford to lose.
After promises of vast wage hikes lured hard-up workers from rival unions, AMCU must prove to members it can deliver.
Platinum firms, reeling from previous industrial action and facing growing competition abroad, must prove to boards and shareholders they still have a viable business model.
There was a partial reprieve for the gold sector, however, with AMCU delaying strike action -- also slated for tomorrow -- until a labour court rules on the legality of a work stoppage.
But in the platinum sector, mines already began shutting down operations late today, amid fears of a rerun of labour violence that has killed dozens.
"We have commenced safe shutdown procedures at operations where AMCU is the majority," Anglo-American Platinum (Amplats) spokeswoman Mpumi Sithole told AFP.
Impala Platinum (Implats) said they had also taken a decision to freeze operations.
The company will close all its mines and smelters "to ensure we mitigate the risk of intimidation and violence as far as possible," Implats spokesman Johan Theron told AFP. "The safety and security of our employees is our number one concern."
In previous strikes non-union staff and members of rival unions have reported being threatened if they refuse to take part.
And in August 2012, some 34 striking miners at Lonmin were shot dead by police amid violence that killed around a dozen more.
