Tension at mines in South Africa seems to be rife after another two incidents – one in Springs and one in Rustenburg – unfolded in the past three days.

In the first incident – at 77 Level Shaft at Bakubung Platinum Mine  – miners began a sit-in on Wednesday, requesting ‘changes to the minimum requested remuneration for employees, employees’ benefits, subsidies and working conditions’.

The mine released a statement yesterday in which it said the protest action was illegal. As a short-term intervention, management cancelled yesterday’s morning and afternoon shifts to ‘ensure the safety of the rest of our staff and eliminate possibilities of community unrest, which may arise and pose a danger to staff and mine assets’.

eNCA reports that 24 miners in need of chronic medication were allowed to resurface.

24 miners at the Bakubung Platinum Mine have been allowed to resurface. They are in need of chronic medication. Workers are demanding better pay and are upset over the termination of the maternity leave policy. eNCA’s @moeraneb14 is following developments there. #DStv403 #eNCA pic.twitter.com/jRZIoYBu0Z

— eNCA (@eNCA) December 8, 2023

In a press statement this afternoon, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) confirmed that more than 250 mineworkers remain underground.

NUM said in its statement that its national and regional leadership, led by NUM president Dan Balepile, this morning had a Zoom meeting with company management to try and address the sit-in, and says that the outcome of the meeting will be communicated soon.

More drama in Springs

In a bid to stop Gold One Mine from dismissing more striking miners, a group of over 400 miners are carrying out an illegal underground strike at the Springs mine.

Springs Advertiser reports that miners who reported for night duty last night refused to resurface this morning in a bid to get the mine to address their grievances.

The publication states that only miners affiliated with NUM have resurfaced.

Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) representative Hendrick Nchabeleng says: “All we are demanding is for the mine management to come to address us and hear our grievances. We cannot have employees being dismissed for raising their grievances. All we are demanding from the mine is a date for the ballot where a new union representing the rights of the employees will be set.”

Gold One Mine head of legal Ziyaad Hassam confirms 72 miners have been dismissed since Monday.

“We are encouraging those who are disgruntled to appeal the ruling or take it to the CCMA and also to use the right channels to raise their grievances. The mine doesn’t encourage the illegal protest,” he says.

Hassam adds that police are currently underground negotiating with the striking miners.

In October, Gold One said more than 500 of their employees, of which 15 were injured, had been held underground against their will. This was echoed by NUM, but Amcu denied this, saying the miners were staging a sit-in because they wanted Amcu to represent them.

Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi says there are no reported criminal activities coming from the mine.

“Police are monitoring the situation closely,” she adds.