Thousands of striking miners at the world's No. 3 gold producer in South Africa defy orders to return to work.<br/> <br />Management at the AngloGold Ashanti mine have threatened to fire the 12,000 striking workers, who are refusing to go back until they have a pay raise in hand.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) MINER, ROGER LETSWALO SAYING:<br/> <br />"We demanded R18,500 from the management and then for how much we will settle, that is going to be the outcome of the, of the, of the negotiations now."<br/> <br />Rival bullion producer Harmony Gold is using similar tactics, promising to fire strikers if they do not return by Thursday.<br/> <br />South African miners have staged several large-scale protests in recent months, calling for better pay and conditions.<br/> <br />The massive strikes have hurt the country's reputation abroad and resulted in two credit downgrades.
