Since then, tens of thousands of platinum miners have been laid off.At the same time rivalry between South African mining unions has poisoned industrial relations.
Wage negotiations between mining companies and labour unions have begun in South Africa, starting with the gold sector.
Since last week's tragedy in Soma, north of the western city of Izmir, the government, mine owners, MPs and trade unions have argued bitterly about the mine's safety record and the scrutiny of working conditions.
The sectors where unions have traditionally been strongest, like steel, automobiles, mining and apparel, have been losing jobs the fastest, while the sectors where unions have the least representation, like technology, finance and fast food, are the fastest-growing fields.
Since then, the two rival unions have been engaged in a low-level war for control over the Lonmin mines.
Other unions have joined in.
Trade unions have promised strikes.
Unions have historically dampened inequality.
But the mine workers and their union have already told the press that they're rejecting the offer.
Fighting between miners from rival unions had already claimed 10 lives over the past week near the Marikana mine near Rustenburg, about 100 kilometres northwest of Johannesburg.
