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Tens of thousands of platinum miners in South Africa went on strike in a campaign for higher pay.
Protesters from the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) sang and danced outside one mine shaft in Rustenburg, the centre of major platinum operations.
AMCU representative Steph-
en Dijo acknowledged that the South African economy would suffer if the strike continued, but said many workers who go underground struggle to pay for their basic needs.
The union is demanding a monthly entry-level wage for underground workers of around £700.
Impala Platinum has offered to increase the minimum wage for subterranean workers from about £490 to £610 over a three-year period. It said the amount excluded benefits including medical aid and overtime pay.
Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) reported low attendance at several mines.
The leading firms said they had begun shutting down operations on Wednesday night, which would lead to a lockout.
"We have commenced safe shutdown procedures at operations where AMCU is the majority," said Amplats spokeswoman Mpumi Sithole.
Impala Platinum (Implats) said it had also taken a decision to freeze operations.
The company will close all its mines and smelters "to mitigate the risk of intimidation and violence as far as possible," said Implats spokesman Johan Theron.
A third producer, Lonmin, said on Wednesday night that no firm decision had yet been taken on whether to shut down.
"We obviously expect a strike," said Lonmin spokeswoman Sue Vey. "We'll make some decisions when that occurs."
The gold sector has not yet been affected, however, with AMCU delaying walkouts which had been slated to start until a court rules on the legality of a work stoppage.
As many as 80,000 workers were expected to stay away from the mines, causing ripples across the South African economy and the world.
Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant is trying to organise talks with the union for today.
"Our economy is stressed enough already and another strike in the mining industry would have dire consequences," she said.
