An African uranium mine owned by Australia’s Paladin Energy has stopped work for 22 hours due to strike action from its employees.

 

The work force at the Kayelekera site walked off in protest of the company’s refusal to grant a 66% pay increase after the country suffered a 50% devaluation to the currency.

 

Unscheduled plant maintenance was performed during this period. The plant is expected to operate at about 65% capacity until striking national employees return to work.

 

The Managing Director/CEO, Mr John Borshoff, described the industrial action as “extremely unfortunate.”

 

He said: “Kayelekera Mine has been producing on target. It is indeed a great pity that this excellent performance will be marred by unnecessary and illegal industrial action. While it will have some impact on the Company’s total annual production results, we do not believe this will be significant if our national employees heed the advice of Government officials and return to work on Tuesday, 15 May 2012.”