By Alexis Flynn
LONDON--Conditions on South Africa's mines and how mining firms
treat their workers will be a crucial "focus of attention" as the
country probes the shooting of 34 striking platinum workers last
month, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said Wednesday.
Any questions around what happened at Lonmin PLC's (LMI.LN)
Marikana mine, where police opened fire on protesters Aug. 16, must
also address mining companies' practices, said Mr. Davies, adding
that this would form part of the remit of the four-month commission
of inquiry appointed to investigate the tragedy.
While some mining companies have implemented social programs to
improve worker conditions and created share-ownership schemes for
lower-ranking employees, "some have not, and these will be a focus
of attention," Mr. Davies told an investor audience in London.
The continuing standoff between workers and management at
Marikana has since spread to other platinum mines and a gold mine.
The strikes have riven public opinion and set off a growing
political storm.
Mr. Davies said visits to Marikana had shown the "appalling"
conditions that platinum workers had to endure and said that the
mining companies "who make millions" had questions to answer about
how their behavior may have contributed to the strikes.
Write to Alexis Flynn at alexis.flynn@dowjones.com