2 Min Read JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa’s National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Wednesday it planned to seek a hike of at least 15% in a three-year wage deal at upcoming negotiations with gold miners and state utility Eskom. Miners work deep underground at Sibanye Gold's Masimthembe shaft in Westonaria, South Africa, April 3, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/File Photo NUM said it would consolidate the wage demands from all sectors it operates in, and would seek increases of between 15% to 20%, or 15,000 rand ($1,016) minimum, alongside other demands including medical aid contributions and COVID-19 health and safety leave. Higher gold prices, which reached a record in August last year, boosted 2020 earnings and offered mining companies a lifeline following production disruptions because of the COVID-19 pandemic.