[miningmx.com] — THE strike by over 3,000 miners at Gold Fields’ South Deep mine, now in its fifth day, appears to be turning ugly with the company “noting with concern” incidents of intimidation and violence.
In a statement issued Thursday, Gold Fields said a small group of National Union of Mineworkers’ members had damaged property and intimidated non-striking staff “both at work and at their near-by homes”.
It also said that several employees “have been assaulted and injured.”
“Gold Fields is extremely disturbed by the developments, which have marred what has to date been a positive engagement between South Deep management and the Num,” the company said.
“We will monitor the situation closely and will take appropriate action to protect our employees and property if and when required.”
On Wednesday, Gold Fields suspended operations at its Driefontein No. 1 shaft after a miner died in a tunnel collapse, reports Reuters.
South Africa, the world’s largest platinum and ferrochrome producer and also a major gold producer, has a dire mining safety record compared with the industrialised world, partly because it has some of the deepest mines.
Fatalities have led to the temporary closure of mines and reduced output, which is already declining due to falling grades.
“The impact on (production) will depend on the length of the shutdown,” Gold Fields spokesperson Sven Lunsche said, adding that an investigation was underway.
Gold Fields shares were trading 0.47% lower at R117.44 around 11:10.
