On 16 August 2012, the South African Police Service (SAPS) opened fire on a crowd of striking mineworkers at Marikana, in the North West Province. ... This event culminated after an intense week-long protest in which the miners were demanding a wage increase at the Lonmin platinum mine in a wildcat strike.

What really happened at Marikana?

Monday marks nine years since 34 miners were killed and 78 seriously injured when the police opened fire on protesting miners at Marikana, North West. ... Between 12 August and 14 August ten people died, including six mine workers, two Lonmin security guards and two SAPS members.

What were the workers demand in Marikana strike?

In return the platinum companies called the workers' demands of R12 000 impractical and refused to go beyond a 10 percent wage increase. The strikes took place in the Rustenburg area in the North West Province and affected all major platinum producers, especially Lonmin.

What's the meaning of Marikana?

Marikana in British English

(ˌmærɪˈkɑːnə) a town in the North West Province of South Africa; the platinum mine was the scene of a strike and armed conflict in 2012 during which 47 people, mostly mineworkers, died.

Who owns Marikana mine?

The mine is jointly owned by Aquarius Platinum South Africa (AQPSA) and Anglo American Platinum (Amplats). Proven and probable reserves are estimated at 15.61mt graded at 3.14g/t of 4E. Marikana was initially developed through the West-West and Main open pits, which were mined out in 2011.

Examining the Marikana massacre

How is the Marikana massacre similar to the Sharpeville massacre?

There are many similarities between the Sharpeville and Marikana massacres. The SAPS without warning fired into an unarmed crowd at Sharpeville in Vereeniging, killing at least 69 anti-pass law protesters. This incident was seen by many scholars as a turning point in the struggle against apartheid.

How did the Marikana strike affect the economy of South Africa?

Amplats said on Thursday that the strike and subsequent ramp up had resulted in production losses of 532 000 ounces, worth about $675m at current prices. Impala Platinum, also hit by the strike, will give a production update next week but the combined industry losses are estimated to be at least 1.2 million ounces.

What is the impact of strikes on the South African economy?

19 Sep The Effects of strikes on Businesses and Employees

Strikes in South Africa are becoming more and more common and this affects not only the local economy but, businesses and employees alike. Employment relationships between both parties could become strained and this could affect teamwork and profitability.

What is mined at Marikana?

Platinum group mineral reserves at Marikana mine

The PGMs produced at the mine include platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold (4E). The proven and probable ore reserves were estimated to be 227.2 million tonnes (Mt) grading 4.09g/t 4E, as of December 2017.

What was the impact Marikana strike?

On 16 August 2012, police units deployed in Marikana to manage an increasingly violent wildcat strike by mineworkers at Lonmin plc's (Lonmin) operations in Rustenburg, South Africa, opened fire, killing 34 and wounding an additional 78 people (Nkosi, 2012).

What year was the first diamond discovered in South Africa?

The discovery of diamonds in South Africa occurred in early 1867 on the land of a poor Boer farmer, Daniel Jacobs, near the small isolated settlement of Hopetown on the Orange River in the Cape of Good Hope Colony.

What was Kimberly called before?

Kimberley was founded in 1871 when diamonds were discovered on a nearby farm named Vooruitzicht (owned by the De Beers brothers). The town was also known as New Rush before it was renamed to Kimberley (after then British Secretary of State for the Colonies Lord Kimberley).

What happened on the 16th of December in South Africa?

The date of 16 December is the anniversary of the 1961 founding of Umkhonto we Sizwe ("Spear of the Nation" or MK), the armed wing of the ANC. On that day, Umkhonto we Sizwe enacted its "first acts of sabotage" which included bomb blasts against government buildings in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Durban.

Where is Platinum mostly found in South Africa?

Anglo American Platinum – 2.05 million ounces

Anglo American Platinum's assets are mostly located in the Bushveld Complex of South Africa (including the world's largest open-pit PGM mines Mogalakwena, Mototolo and Amandelbult) and Zimbabwe (Unki mine).

In which province is Marikana?

The town of Marikana, formerly known as and still sometimes referred to as Rooikoppies (red hills), is based in Rustenburg, in the North West province of South Africa. The town was established in 1870 and later expanded into seven White owned farms by the early 1900s - farming tobacco and maize amongst other crops.

Who owns the diamonds in South Africa?

Ever since the Kimberley diamond strike of 1868, South Africa has been a world leader in diamond production. The primary South African sources of diamonds, including seven large diamond mines around the country, are controlled by the De Beers Consolidated Mines Company.

Which country found diamond First?

Diamond History

The earliest diamonds were found in India in 4th century BC, although the youngest of these deposits were formed 900 million years ago. A majority of these early stones were transported along the network of trade routes that connected India and China, commonly known as the Silk Road.

Who chaired the Marikana commission?

Marikana Commission of Inquiry chairperson Judge Ian Farlam is of the view that the commission cannot be blamed for the lack of prosecutions following the shootings seven years ago, which saw 34 people killed by police on August 16. "A panel was appointed to gather evidence for prosecution.

How many mines are there in Marikana?

Marikana is a large, established operation, with all the necessary surface infrastructure to support mining operations. Five shafts are in operation, 4Belt, K3, Rowland, Saffy and E3, while a number of shafts are under care and maintenance.

Why do people mine platinum?

Platinum is also mined as an ore . Platinum ores such as sperrylite and cooperite may be mined when they are found in quantities that make extraction economically feasible. In other situations, platinum is obtained as a by-product when ores of other metals, such as copper and nickel, are refined.