In June, Sibanye-Stillwater said it had dismissed workers at its Cooke gold operations, west of Johannesburg, following several days of unprotected strike action related to the firm?s clamp-down on illegal mining. There were reported threats and intimidation at the operations which resulted in 16 employees being ?seriously assaulted? whilst attempting to report for work, the company said at the time.
?Illegal mining is a significant threat, not only to the safety of our employees and surrounding communities, but to the viability of operations,? said Wayne Robinson, CEO of Sibanye-Stillwater?s gold division.
?Despite adequate communication with employees and agreement with major unions, this strike action supports our view that there is significant collusion taking place through the industry that supports this illegal and dangerous activity,? he said in June.
Robinson said 71 illegal miners had surfaced from underground at the Cooke mines; they had been arrested since the unprotected strike started. ?We condemn any violence and intimidation against employees and will take appropriate action against any perpetrators,? said Robinson.
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