trading halt story in miningmx

http://www.miningmx.com/news/platinum_group_metals/Smokey-Hills-contractor-killed-by-mob.htm


Smokey Hills contractor killed by mob
Andr? Janse van Vuuren | Fri, 27 May 2011 12:43


[miningmx.com] -- AN EMPLOYEE of a mining contractor at Platinum Australia?s Smokey Hills was killed on Thursday in the wake of ongoing labour unrest at the mine.
A police spokesperson confirmed on Friday that Kobus Janse van Rensburg was killed at 16:30, when the minibus he was travelling in on his way home was attacked by an angry mob. Details are still sketchy, but according to Janse van Rensburg?s brother Saaiks the victim got out of the vehicle where after he was assaulted and died on the scene. The minibus was also set alight. He said the attackers were disgruntled employees of the mine.
Platinum Australia has not confirmed the incident at the time of writing, but did request a trading halt for its shares on the Australian Stock Exchange on Friday.
?The company is seeking the trading halt pending an announcement to the market regarding matters to do with operations,? read a company release.
Janse van Rensburg was employed by JIC Mining, Smokey Hills? mining contractor which took over operations at the mine from Redpath Mining in October.
The mine has been the scene of going labour unrest since JIC took over as contractor, following the dismissal of several Redpath employees.
In February, JIC obtained an interdict to compel some 600 employees who were engaged in an unprotected strike to return to work or face dismissal. The majority (only 25 returned to work following the interdict) were dismissed, but it is unsure at this stage how many have been re-employed.
JIC Mining CEO Jacques Roux undertook to comment later on Friday.
Miningmx reported on Thursday that the immediate performance of Smokey Hills could dictate the fortunes of Platinum Australia, following another disappointing performance in the March quarter.
The company?s share price has dropped more than 50% this year from about A$0.85 in January to a low of A$0.40 earlier in May.