Johannesburg - Harmony Gold Mining Company [JSE:HAR] says
about 1 700 mineworkers‚ representing Thursday’s day shift at its Kusasalethu
mine near Carletonville‚ remain underground and they are refusing to return to
surface.
Demands from the underground mineworkers‚ led by Amcu union
representatives‚ include the withdrawal of the suspension of the 578 employees
including contractors which were suspended on Wednesday December 19‚ the
company said in a statement.
Talks with the employees and Amcu representatives are
ongoing in order to resolve the situation.
"Safety and health is our first priority and we will do
our utmost to ensure the mineworkers return to surface safely‚" said Tom
Smith‚ chief operating officer of Harmony.
On Thursday‚ the South African Press Association reported that
five mineworkers were injured in a clash with security guards at Kusasalethu
mine.
Harmony said on Thursday it was closing its Kusasalethu mine a
day earlier than planned for the festive season‚ following violent behaviour
and damage to mine infrastructure on surface.
Security at the mine and the SA Police Service were on the
scene to control the crowd and to further ensure the safety of all the
employees.
The violence followed the suspension of 578 employees
including some contractors as a result of the participation of these employees
in an unprotected strike action on Saturday December 15‚ the company
noted.
"We have made it clear that no violence will be
tolerated and to ensure the safety of our employees it has become imperative to
close the shaft until the labour issues have been resolved‚" Smith said on
Thursday.
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