Power cuts hamper work at gold and platinum mines

A number of gold and platinum mines have halted underground operations because of power cuts, the Chamber of Mines said.

Senior executive Frans Baker said mines, especially in the Carletonville and Rustenberg areas, had to shut down operations because Eskom said it could not guarantee a power supply today. He said the exact number of mines affected was not yet known.

The mining industry was busy interacting with Eskom. "All parties are very anxious to find a solution," said Baker.

Harmony Gold spokesperson Amelia Soares said all Friday morning and afternoon shifts at their gold and platinum mines nationwide had been cancelled. Soares added the company would lose R60 million from today's suspended operations.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said work in the mines had become "a matter of life and death".

NUM General Secretary Frans Baleni says the mining industry cannot afford random shedding with no prior notice as that endangers the lives of ordinary workers and threatens their very survival. He added that Eskom needs to communicate with mines effectively so workers were not put at risk.