Workers gather at Gold Fields' KDC

Mine workers sing at Gold Fields KDC mine in Westonaria. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu.

Mine workers sing at Gold Fields KDC mine in Westonaria. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu.

Published Sep 15, 2012

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Striking mineworkers began gathering at the Gold Fields' KDC west mine near Carletonville on Saturday morning, the company said.

Spokesman Sven Lunsche said: “The situation hasn't changed, there is still no work”.

Disruptions were not expected as there were usually minimal mining operations on Saturdays.

It was still unclear if management would continue talks with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Saturday.

The NUM representatives at the talks at the mine's headquarters at its Libanon shaft, western Gauteng, were from regional and branch offices.

Lunsche said on Friday that it would be a breach of collective bargaining agreements to not talk through them first.

“It doesn't mean we don't want to engage with others,” he said of the thousands of workers who have gathered at KDC west since Monday.

Major disruptions were experienced at the mine earlier this week when those on strike intimidated people trying to get to work.

Miners affiliated to the NUM went on strike on Sunday. Their demands included the removal of NUM branch leadership at the mine, pay equalisation and a pay increase to R12 500.

On Tuesday, expelled African National Congress Youth League president Julius Malema called for the resignation of NUM leaders, including its general secretary Frans Baleni. -Sapa

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