The strike at South African diamond producer Petra Diamond’s Sedibeng operations, near Kimberley, entered its third day on Thursday, miningweekly.com reported.



An estimated 69% of the diamond mine’s workforce was taking part in the strike action, as negotiations around wages continued, the report said.



The National Union of Mineworkers said on Wednesday that diamond mining workers were demanding a salary increase of R1,050 a month as well as a housing allowance of R1,000 a month, while Petra Diamonds was offering a 5% wage increase, it said.



Petra was unwilling to reveal its wage offer to Mining Weekly Online, however, spokesperson Nicola Taylor said that the offer was in line with the diamond industry standard.



Petra’s bottom line diamond production figure was also unlikely to be affected by the strike, Taylor said, as the Sedibeng operation was relatively small compared with the other projects in the diamond miner’s portfolio.