By: Natasha Archary

Impala Platinum Holdings Limited (Implats) is closely monitoring an illegal underground protest by approximately 2 205 employees.
On Monday, 18 December Implats employees at both North and South shafts at the Bafokeng Rasimone Platinum Mine at the Group’s Impala Bafokeng operation in the North West, staged an underground protest.
Management proactively suspended mining operations at both shafts and recalled all employees from the underground working areas.
Miners are said to still be underground, with the motivation behind the protest and demands still to be determined.
Implats has notified relevant authorities and mobilized emergency measures to safeguard the health and safety of all who may be participating voluntarily, or who may have been forced to remain underground against their will.
In a statement the Group said the illegal underground protest which is a copycat action from other mining operations, are a cause for concern and disrupts the mining industry.
“Underground workings and the management, monitoring and transportation of employees are managed through extensive safety protocols and significant logistical consideration and planning.
These coordinated protest actions pose serious safety concerns for our employees, not just due to the provision of basic nutrition, hydration and ablution facilities, but also the risk to personal safety should the protest action escalate into hostage situations or result in physical violence.”
Implats is closely monitoring an illegal underground protest, which began this morning at Impala Bafokeng. Please read the statement for more. pic.twitter.com/T3itXY1qaM
— Implats (@Implats) December 18, 2023
The protest at Implats comes after 13 employees were killed in a conveyance shaft incident on 27 November, at the Impala Platinum Rustenburg mine.
Underground protests have been stage by Gold One miners in October and again in November over various disputes including union representation and several dismissals following disciplinary hearings.
Implats will communicate further updates on the underground protests.
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