AlQa'dah 2, 1433, Sep 18, 2012, SPA -- A mediator said that striking platinum miners in South Africa have accepted an agreement with Lonmin and plan to return to work on Thursday, AP reported. Bishop Joe Seoka would not give the final details of the agreement reached Tuesday but said it includes a 22 percent pay increase and a once-off payment of 2,000 rand ($250) to help cover the weeks of not being paid while they were on strike. The strike began Aug. 10. About 5,000 strikers gathered in a stadium to listen to the deal and cheered and sang when they finally accepted the offer. Seoka said he will go back to the negotiations with Lonmin management to say that workers accepted and to finalize the deal tonight.
