MC Mining reports that operations at its 70%-owned Uitkomst colliery have been suspended temporarily in light of the continuing civil unrest in KwaZulu-Natal.
Violence flared up in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, as well as elsewhere in South Africa, following the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma late last week.
Protests, road blockages and attacks targeting transport vehicles have been reported across KwaZulu-Natal, including the towns and communities where the majority of the Uitkomst mine employees and contractors reside.
MC Mining interim CEO Sam Randazzo says the company’s first priority is the safety of its employees and contractors. “We have taken this immediate action to protect their wellbeing.”
He notes that temporarily halting the colliery operations should also discourage activists from entering the Uitkomst site.
“Authorities have deployed security forces to areas where protests are occurring, and we remain hopeful of a speedy resolution so that our employees and contractors can return to work and for recommencement of operations at the Uitkomst colliery,” says Randazzo.
Although MC Mining says the current situation remains fluid, it will continue to carefully monitor developments.