Lonmin Plc said Thursday it had reached a truce with some of the workers employed at its Marikana platinum mine in northern South Africa, where 44 people were killed last month, dpa reported. But the accord does involve an influential and more militant union, which insists it will not end its industrial action until its demands, which include a tripling of the workers' current salary, are met. Rock drillers went on strike at the mine on August 10. Ten people, including two police officers and two security guards, were killed in the following days. On August 16, police opened fire on a rioting crowd of protesters, killing 34. "The intention of the peace deal is so that there is normality back in Marikana," said Lesiba Seshoka, a spokesman for the National Union of Mineworkers, the mainstream union, which accepted the deal. "Workers are encouraged to go back to work," Seshoka told dpa. The more militant miners are demanding a pay rise to about 12,500 rands (1,500 dollars) a month before they return to work. Some of these miners are not affiliated with any union, while others belong to the hardline Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, which did not sign the truce. The accord stipulates that the mine, which has been at a production standstill for weeks, must first start functioning again before negotiations on wages can take place. "The company remains committed to reaching a sustainable solution to the problems at Marikana and pledges to do everything that it can to make this happen. Lonmin will continue to work hard to reach a swift and fair resolution and to bring peace and stability to the area," said Simon Scott, the chief executive officer of the world's third-largest platinum producer. Meanwhile, the last 108 out of the 270 Lonmin miners who were arrested last month were expected to appear in court later Thursday before being released. A first group of 162 were released on Monday after prosecutors bowed to public pressure and dropped murder charges against them.
