Dozens of mineworkers resurface after protest at Impala
The management of Impala Platinum has confirmed that at least 63 mineworkers have resurfaced at the Bafokeng Rasimone mine in the North West.
More than 2 200 platinum miners started an underground protest on Monday, over grievances relating to shares.
The mine has since suspended operations at the two shafts of the mine.
Implats spokesperson Johan Theron says they are concerned over the workers’ safety.
"I can confirm that 63 people have come up overnight. We still have over 2-thousand people underground, but the union has engaged with the people underground and hopefully we would be able to hear the complaints and resolve the matter today."
The company warned it will "address those employees who engage in illegal conduct and criminal acts in a decisive way".
South Africa has seen a growing number of wildcat strikes by miners who occupy the mines, blocking production.
"Illegal underground protests and copycat illegal actions ... have become more prevalent in recent months and are a cause for both considerable concern for and disruption to the broader mining industry," added Theron.
More than 100 gold miners spent nearly three days underground in Springs in October as part of a dispute between rival unions.
Another 440 staged a protest in another gold mine this month, while 250 platinum workers demanding better wages occupied a shaft for three days at the same time.
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