Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) will suspend operations at its Rustenburg platinum operations out of concern for the safety of its employees, the company said on Wednesday.
CEO Chris Griffith said the situation in the Rustenburg area was volatile, and that people who wanted to go to work were being prevented from doing so by intimidation, with threats of violence.
"Anglo American Platinum has decided to suspend its operations in the Rustenburg area with immediate effect," he said in a statement.
"The suspension will continue until such time as operations can be safely resumed."
Griffith repeated the company's denials that its staff members were on strike.
Amplats' chairwoman Cynthia Carroll said: "We are in touch with the authorities at the highest level to identify how we can work together with our tripartite partners -- government and the recognised labour unions -- to achieve a swift and peaceful resolution to these illegal actions."
Carroll said the company's Rustenburg platinum operations were already under financial pressure, with Wednesday's suspension risking its long-term viability the longer the situation lasted.
Earlier in the day, thousands of protesters descended on the company's smelters, demanding that all operations be suspended without delay until a pay dispute was resolved.
After meeting with mine officials at the smelting premises, protest organiser Godfrey Lindane said all operations would cease at 10pm.
"We have reached a compromise: allowed them to continue with the shifts until 10pm. After that everyone should go home," he said.
"Today is the last day, tomorrow [Thursday] morning, all mineworkers from Amplats and Lonmin are joining forces at a local stadium," said Lindane.
The protesters would gather at the Bleskop stadium, in Rustenburg, on Thursday.
After being addressing by their leaders, the protesters dispersed.
Mineworkers have threatened to halt all mining operations around Rustenburg within a week if their employers do not accede to their demand for a monthly salary of R12,500.
On Wednesday, another leader of the striking workers at Amplats, Evans Ramokga, said the protest action would be stepped up.
"We want to assure you that by Monday next week there will be no mining operation in Rustenburg," he said.
There was a tense stand-off when thousands of mineworkers arrived at the entrance to the smelters, which was blocked by several police vehicles and a water cannon. Mine security guards, wielding rifles, stood inside the gates.
Four representatives of the protesters were ushered into the mine premises by police and guards.
The crowd became agitated when non-striking mineworkers emerged to observe the commotion at the gate.
A large group of protesters, carrying traditional weapons, had gathered at a Thembelani mine shaft in the morning.
Five police nyalas and a water cannon were at the scene. A police helicopter hovered overhead.
Most of the protesters sat in a field in the sun. Small groups, clutching sticks and clubs, marched, sang, and danced.
Some men arrived at the scene wearing ANC Youth League regalia. They joined the protesters, but declined to speak to reporters.
Amplats suspend Rustenburg operations
Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) will suspend operations at its Rustenburg platinum operations out of concern for the safety of its employees, the company said on Wednesday.
CEO Chris Griffith said the situation in the Rustenburg area was volatile, and that people who wanted to go to work were being prevented from doing so by intimidation, with threats of violence.
"Anglo American Platinum has decided to suspend its operations in the Rustenburg area with immediate effect," he said in a statement.
"The suspension will continue until such time as operations can be safely resumed."
Griffith repeated the company's denials that its staff members were on strike.
Amplats' chairwoman Cynthia Carroll said: "We are in touch with the authorities at the highest level to identify how we can work together with our tripartite partners -- government and the recognised labour unions -- to achieve a swift and peaceful resolution to these illegal actions."
Carroll said the company's Rustenburg platinum operations were already under financial pressure, with Wednesday's suspension risking its long-term viability the longer the situation lasted.
Earlier in the day, thousands of protesters descended on the company's smelters, demanding that all operations be suspended without delay until a pay dispute was resolved.
After meeting with mine officials at the smelting premises, protest organiser Godfrey Lindane said all operations would cease at 10pm.
"We have reached a compromise: allowed them to continue with the shifts until 10pm. After that everyone should go home," he said.
"Today is the last day, tomorrow [Thursday] morning, all mineworkers from Amplats and Lonmin are joining forces at a local stadium," said Lindane.
The protesters would gather at the Bleskop stadium, in Rustenburg, on Thursday.
After being addressing by their leaders, the protesters dispersed.
Mineworkers have threatened to halt all mining operations around Rustenburg within a week if their employers do not accede to their demand for a monthly salary of R12,500.
On Wednesday, another leader of the striking workers at Amplats, Evans Ramokga, said the protest action would be stepped up.
"We want to assure you that by Monday next week there will be no mining operation in Rustenburg," he said.
There was a tense stand-off when thousands of mineworkers arrived at the entrance to the smelters, which was blocked by several police vehicles and a water cannon. Mine security guards, wielding rifles, stood inside the gates.
Four representatives of the protesters were ushered into the mine premises by police and guards.
The crowd became agitated when non-striking mineworkers emerged to observe the commotion at the gate.
A large group of protesters, carrying traditional weapons, had gathered at a Thembelani mine shaft in the morning.
Five police nyalas and a water cannon were at the scene. A police helicopter hovered overhead.
Most of the protesters sat in a field in the sun. Small groups, clutching sticks and clubs, marched, sang, and danced.
Some men arrived at the scene wearing ANC Youth League regalia. They joined the protesters, but declined to speak to reporters.
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