The contract workers have staged a "sit-in" in an underground area close to the entrance of the mine in the country's North West province. Vancouver-based Eastplats in an emailed statement said negotiators from the mine, the contractor and the National Union of Mineworkers have been unable to calm the situation and gain the release of the supervisory employees being held against their will.
The company said the mining contractor is in the process of obtaining a court interdict that will require its employees end the illegal strike, release those workers being held and vacate underground working areas.
"Eastplats is primarily concerned with the safety of all personnel underground and is taking all possible steps to facilitate the resolution of this dispute between the mining contractors and their own employees," the company said.
It said mine management remains committed to peaceful discussions with employee representatives and has removed all other underground employees.
Police are on site.
Company Web site: www.eastplats.com
-By Robb M. Stewart, Dow Jones Newswires; +27 11 783 7848; robb.stewart@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
07-10-09 0207ET

More News:
Market Updates |
Stock Alerts |
All Trading News |
Stock Index