JOHANNESBURG — Anglo American Platinum fires 12,000 striking South African miners for staging an unlawful strike.

Strike leader Gaddafi Mdoda said Friday he was one of about 12,000 mineworkers who received emails or SMS messages telling them they had been dismissed.

A spokeswoman for Amplats refused to comment on the matter, saying a statement would be issued later.

Mdoda said the miners would intensify their strike, even if they were no longer bona fide employees of Amplats. At least 20,000 mineworkers at Amplats have been staging a wildcat strike since Sept. 12. The mineworkers are demanding 12,500 rand (about $1,500) in take-home salary.

Amplats is the world's largest platinum producer. South Africa produces 75 percent of the world's platinum.