The South African police have clashed with striking miners protesting in the country’s northeast against low pay and difficult working conditions at the world's top platinum miner, Anglo American Platinum (Amplats).

On Thursday, some 2,000 mine workers blocked roads with rocks and burning tires near a mine in the city of Rustenburg. Police forces fired teargas canisters and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters.

Amplats was forced to close five of its mines last month after thousands of its workers went on strike.

Over the recent months, South Africa has been rocked by a wave of strikes to demand higher wages.

On August 16, 34 striking miners were killed after the police opened fire on demonstrators who were demanding higher pay. Ten others, including two police officers, died during weeks of unrest that followed.

In all, 45 people have died in violence related to the unrest.

South Africa is home to nearly 80 percent of the world’s known platinum reserves. The country’s mining sector directly employs around 500,000 people and yields nearly one-fifth of the GDP.

The strikes have also damaged the country's reputation as an investment destination.
Press TV