The biggest union in South Africa's platinum sector has called a strike over pay, the biggest in the sector since the 2012 Marikana massacre.
On that occasion, 34 protesting miners taking part in an illegal wage protest were shot by police.
Thursday's strike over pay will production by the world's top three platinum producers, the BBC reports.
The miners, most of whom work deep underground as rock drill operators, said they are demanding a "living wage".
Joseph Mathunjwa, the president of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), said they want to earn about 12,500 rand per month ($US1200) - more than double their current pay.
Unlike the Marikana strike, the downing of tools this time is legal. All three companies Anglo American, Impala and Lonmin Platinum - have confirmed receiving official notices of strike action by Amcu.
The companies insist that they cannot afford the pay increases because of high production costs and low demand.
