Metallon Gold workers strike over pay

The beleaguered Metalon Gold Zimbabwe Arcturus Mine was forced to shut down production entirely after workers downed tools demanding their overdue salaries.

The disgruntled workers, who have not been paid for a year said that management regularly paid them US$50 at the end of month and this is not enough for their needs.

The workers committee is blamed for not doing enough to negotiate their worsening situation.

When contacted for a comment, Dzingai Makone, the Workers Committee Chairperson, said they are not allowed to speak to the media and were still locked in a meeting with the mine management.

Metallon Gold is owned by South African mining magnet Mzi Khumalo and has five gold mines in Zimbabwe — How Mine, Shamva Mine, Arcturus Mine, Mazowe Mine and Redwing Mine.

Last month the company said it was consolidating its claims at Redwing Mine in Manicaland into a mining lease.

Operations at the Redwing Mine in Penhalonga were suspended in 2005 when the mine flooded.

The work has since resumed to de-water the mine with a target to start production in July.