Work at DiamondCorp’s Lace diamond project in the Free State province of South Africa has halted for the last few days with members of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) going on strike demanding the appointment of two full-time salaried shop stewards. The strike has been certified by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, and the 'no work, no pay' rule will apply.

In a statement the company said that until such time as the strike ends, development tunnelling in the Upper K4 mining block and processing of development kimberlite will continue with non-AMCU members. It added that contractors installing the underground conveyor belt system are not affected by the strike.

Paul Loudon, DiamondCorp CEO said: "Management's position is clear: a mine development project of less than 260 workers does not require and cannot afford two full-time shop stewards. We feel sorry for the hardship this action will cause for the Lace workers involved and their families."

Reports say that police fired rubber bullets last week to disperse workers who “were blocking the main entrance of the mine.”

Photo courtesy: DiamondCorp plc