Gold One Mine, in Springs, Ekurhuleni, has confirmed it has suspended 34 Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) striking members.

A group of Amcu members picketed outside the mine’s entrance yesterday, to support the suspended miners.

The head of legal at Gold One Modder East, Ziyaad Hassan, says the disciplinary hearings will start this week.

“We are in close contact with the police about criminal proceedings against any employee potentially in contravention of the law,” he adds.

Hassan says they must now notify the National Union of Mine Workers (Num) about their plan on how they intend to conduct the ballot.

“The Num close shop agreement is still valid and operational. What needs to happen is that if we receive a petition that threatens the majority of the Num, which we have now received, we can evoke a process of the ballot, which is the case now. We understand Amcu is knocking on our door, and we don’t want to frustrate the process. We want to make sure any process we do is legally sound.

“We will give notice when the ballot will be done. We will then inform Amcu, and between the three parties, we will agree on the process and time frame within which this will be done.

“The sooner, the better for everyone. The outcome of the ballot will inform how we go forward,” he adds.

Hassan says they have been bringing employees back in phases, and they are almost at full complement.

The ‘hostage’ drama at the mine started in late October when more than 500 miners were allegedly held hostage underground.