ROSTOV-ON-DON, June 25 (RIA Novosti) - Miners in southern Russia staged a sit in, spending the night underground in protest at wage arrears, the head of a trade union said on Thursday.

On Wednesday morning, 34 workers of the Chikh mine in the Rostov Region refused to come to the surface demanding they receive their wages. Local authorities have calculated the arrears at over 12 million rubles ($385,000), while miners themselves insist the figure is 21.5 million rubles ($690,400).

"All 34 miners have been underground since yesterday waiting until all the miners have been paid their wage arrears in full. They are feeling well, they have food and water," Gennady Kopayev said.

Following Wednesday's talks, the mine management promised to pay the arrears in full on Thursday.

Donugol, a local coal producer, has offered to grant a loan with repayment being made in coal supplies, Kopayev said.

Earlier another 10 workers at the same mine went on strike in late March demanding directors pay their wage arrears. They received their wages within a day then.