Thousands of striking miners at the world's No. 3 gold producer in South Africa defy orders to return to work.
Management at the AngloGold Ashanti mine have threatened to fire the 12,000 striking workers, who are refusing to go back until they have a pay raise in hand.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MINER, ROGER LETSWALO SAYING:
"We demanded R18,500 from the management and then for how much we will settle, that is going to be the outcome of the, of the, of the negotiations now."
Rival bullion producer Harmony Gold is using similar tactics, promising to fire strikers if they do not return by Thursday.
South African miners have staged several large-scale protests in recent months, calling for better pay and conditions.
The massive strikes have hurt the country's reputation abroad and resulted in two credit downgrades.
