Operations normal at Sibanye Gold
This was after a planned strike by Amcu-aligned workers in the gold sector was delayed on Wednesday when a ruling on the strike's legality by the Johannesburg Labour Court was postponed, spokesman James Wellsted said in a statement.
Judge Hamilton Cele would make his ruling on January 30, and until that date workers were prohibited from going on strike.
"It is unfortunate however that there were two operational incidents at the Driefontein Operations on [Wednesday]," Wellsted said.
In the first, miners at the Hlanganani shaft were caught sabotaging a rail line, which resulted in tramming equipment being derailed. In a separate incident, a fire broke out at one of the marginal, low-grade shafts, causing the withdrawal of operating crews from the area.
"We have suspended crews in the affected areas pending the outcome of further investigations," said Wellsted.
Wellsted said should sabotage be proven, disciplinary action would be taken. "[Were] the perpetrators found to be members of a union or association, we will not hesitate to claim for damages and losses from that union or association, as these are illegal strike activities," he said.
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union had intended to strike in the gold sector on Thursday after issuing employers with strike notices.
The union wanted an entry-level monthly salary of R12,500. Strikes were scheduled to take place at Sibanye Gold's Driefontein mine, Harmony Gold's Kusasalethu and Masimong mines, and at all AngloGold Ashanti's South African operations.
Gold producers represented by the Chamber of Mines resolved to challenge the legality of the strike and seek damages from the union.
-Sapa