He said a help desk had been set up at Lonmin’s Andrew Saffy Hospital to help families with the identification of bodies, assist with all the burial arrangements and offer bereavement counselling.

Also, Lonmin has committed to fund education costs from primary school to university for the victims’ children.

“Lonmin has for many years worked tirelessly to achieve effective and open labour relations. We engage with all the unions our employees choose to belong to and whilst, like all companies, we have had disagreements, we have generally operated in partnership with the unions to the benefit of the Company and the employees, which is why the illegal strike we’ve seen is so disappointing and damaging.

“We can also be proud of the work we have done in the communities who live around our mines, where we have invested hundreds of millions in providing housing, health services, education and also training to help local people achieve qualifications to get jobs in mining and other industries.

There is much still to be done on and around our property and we are committed to continuing this effort and investment.

“This last week has dealt those efforts a severe blow. We must start to rebuild those relationships, starting today, building back trust and trying to move forwards.

“A stable mining sector is vital to the economic future of this country. If the industry continues to be damaged by illegal actions it is not just the economy which suffers, but all our employees, their families and dependents.

We need our employees to come back to work and we need to get mining again.”

Meanwhile, The  Shanduka Group, also sent a release to the media, saying it is “deeply shocked” by the tragedy at Lonmin’s Western Platinum operations in Marikana,  offering its condolences to the families of the victims.

The Shanduka Group, through its subsidiary, Shanduka Resources holds a 50.03% share holding in Incwala Resources, which in turn holds an 18% interest in Lonmin’s two principal operating subsidiaries, Western Platinum Limited and Eastern Platinum Limited, and a 26% stake in the Akanani platinum project.

“In the wake of this national tragedy, it is critical that all parties take meaningful steps to ensure that nothing of this nature ever happens again.

For this reason, Shanduka Group supports a full and thorough investigation into the circumstances that gave rise to this incident.

“Over the course of the last week, Shanduka has been working together with Lonmin and the relevant authorities in support of efforts to restore calm and prevent further acts of violence.

“At this moment, our main concern is for the families of all those who have been killed and wounded in these clashes. As a company, Shanduka Group will be making a financial contribution towards the burial arrangements of those who have died.”

Sapa reports that the firm will contribute R2 million towards the funeral costs.

– CitiBusiness reporter.