Workers at three Amplats mines in the Rustenburg region of South Africa, where most of the jobs are expected to go, downed tools in protest against the cuts on Wednesday, although only one of the three mines affected has been earmarked for closure.

BBC: Amplats 'arrogant', says South Africa minister

The company operates three surface coal mines in the Powder Region Basin (PRB) located in Montana and Wyoming, which is the lowest cost major coal producing region in the U.S. CLD also owns a 50% interest in Decker mine, which is also located in the PRB.

FORBES: Chinese Demand Will Drive This Wyoming Coal Stock

The company has three other operating mines in Canada, one in Finland, and one in Mexico.

FORBES: The perils of mining

Despite the flood-related shipment disruptions, CLD still expects to produce 93-96 million tons of coal in the current year from its three operated mines.

FORBES: Chinese Demand Will Drive This Wyoming Coal Stock

The group, led by Khumo Bathong Holdings and three other companies, gave no details of their bid for four AngloGold mines in the mineral-rich Free State province.

BBC: Business crosses the line in South Africa

Kona Haque of Macquarie Bank points out that copper mines have produced 1m tonnes or so less than planned in each of the past three years (over 5% of global output), and are likely to do so again this year.

ECONOMIST: Commodities 1