Power to the People: South African Miners Protest
Miners are fed up with low wages and squalid conditions.
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South Africa's Mine Uprisings - The decades-long injustices inherent in South Africa's lucrative mining industry reached a deadly crescendo on Aug. 16, 2012, when a wage protest by workers at South Africa's Lonmin platinum mine turned violent as officers opened fire, killing over 30 people and wounding 78.As protests spread to other mines in the country, BET.com takes a look at the incident that started it all. —Naeesa Aziz (Photo: AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
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At Last, an Official Message - A week after the Lonmin killings, South Africa's Minister of Defence Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula was the first government official to address the mine workers and apologize for the tragedy. (Photo: AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
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Police Off the Hook - Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega showed little remorse for the action of the force saying, "It was the right thing to do." Angry protesters attacked police with sticks and clubs before they opened fire. No police officers died in the exchange. (Photo: AP Photo/ Leon Nicholas-STAR Business Report)
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Fair Wages for an Honest Day's Work - Miners met before the protests began to organize against what they said are unfair wages. The monthly salary for the workers ranges from $484-$605 a month. They are asking for $1,512 per month. By Aug. 22, 2012, similar wage protests had spread to other mines. (Photo: AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
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Platinum's High Price - The Lonmin mine produces one third of the world's platinum and shares of the company's stock fell 15 percent since production came to a halt after the killings. In addition to jewelry, platinum is also used in the catalytic converters of cars, fuel cells for electric and hybrid vehicles and in some computer equipment.(Photo: REUTERS/Parivartan Sharma)
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