1st Aug 2012 15:50
AQUARIUS PLATINUM LIMITEDASX, LSE & JSE1 August 2012 Serious security incident at Kwezi shaft
Aquarius Platinum (SA) (Pty) Limited regrets to advise that a very serious security incident occurred early this afternoon at Kwezi shaft, a production unit at the Kroondal PSA near to Rustenburg in the North West Province. A gathering of approximately 200 people, some of whom were armed, forced their way onto the mine property. Members of the private security company under contract to the mine attempted to disperse this unruly crowd as the actions of the group, which included the throwing of petrol bombs, threatened both mine employee lives and property. A total of 450 employees were on the shaft and underground at the time of this invasion.
It is confirmed that three people have died and at least 20 others were injured in this incident. The people are understood to be former employees of the mine's mining contractor, who were dismissed following illegal strike action in June 2012.
Members of the South African Police Service were on site at the time of the incident and the SAPS have now taken charge the situation to restore order.
Operations at Kwezi shaft were immediately suspended, and management has evacuated around 450 morning shift employees to ensure their safety.
A further update will be provided in due course.
For further information please contact:
In Australia: In South Africa: Willi Boehm James Duncan / Charmane Russell +61 8 9367 5211 + 27 11 880 3924
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