Harmony weighs further wage offer to SAfrica unions

JOHANNESBURG, June 11 (Reuters) - South Africa's Chamber of Mines said on Thursday that Harmony Gold Mining Co. (HARJ.J) has indicated to mineworkers unions that it would like to explore a further wage offer on a bilateral basis.

The Chamber, which negotiates collectively on behalf of gold producers, said in a statement that gold producers, with the exception of Harmony, made an offer of 7 percent to unions.

"The companies, with the exception of Harmony, made a wage increase offer of 7 percent. Harmony indicated to the unions that it would like to explore a further wage offer on a bilateral basis," the Chamber said.

Unions rejected the increased wage offer and called in an arbitrating authority to mediate.

(Reporting by James Macharia)