Miners sign deal to end strike in South Africa

MOOINOOI, South Africa -- Platinum miners signed a wage deal late last night ending a bloody 5-week strike at the Lonmin Plc mine that had spread to the gold and chrome sectors of the industry that anchors Africa's richest economy.

The agreement for the company's 28,000 miners ends a strike with political and economic repercussions, but does not resolve rage over the country's huge inequality, massive unemployment and poverty. Trouble began Aug. 10 at Lonmin and ended up killing 45 people. On Aug. 16, police opened fire on demonstrating strikers, killing 34 of them.

"Mission accomplished!" was the message inscribed in black ink on the hand of a striker last night.

The London-registered company agreed to pay a gross of 11,078 rand ($1,385) to rock drill operators who had been demanding a take-home wage of 12,500 rand ($1,560) -- AP