Thousands of workers at an Anglo American Platinum mine in South Africa have refused to come out from underground in protest at the suspension of one of their leaders, the firm said Sunday. The workers, members of the militant Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), have been underground for nearly two days at the top global producer's Dishaba mine in the northern Limpopo province, according to company spokeswoman Mpumi Sithole. "Anglo American Platinum confirms that approximately 2,300 employees have staged an underground sit-in at its Dishaba mine from 05:00 am (0300 GMT) on Saturday," said Sithole in an email. "The employees demand that the suspension of an AMCU shop steward be lifted," she added.