Analysis - South Africa mines less violent as AMCU union plays by rules

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A year ago, militant South African miners affiliated to upstart union AMCU were marching with spears, clubs and knives in often violent wildcat strikes and protests against management bosses.

But in recent months leaders of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, an emerging force on the labour stage of Africa's biggest economy, have been sitting down to tough but peaceful wage talks with mining executives.