ZAC mine reopens as calm reigns
Mine offices at the Ngwabe Shaft were twice torched by arsonists.
OPERATIONS at Zululand Anthracite Colliery resumed within a week after being temporarily suspended earlier this month.
According to a statement released by the mine, the ‘ongoing attacks by criminal elements’ forced the closure, as safety concerns for staff rose.
However, less than a week later, mining operations resumed and according to police and ZAC Managing Director, Niels Kristensen, all is calm.
According to reports the attacks were carried out by a small group of individuals who were unhappy about not being employed by the mine.
Mine offices at the Ngwabe Shaft were twice torched by arsonists. During the second incident on 23 March, one employee sustaining severe burns to his left hand.
‘The violence at the mine is believed to be orchestrated by a group of 15 to 20 youths who are demanding to be employed,’ Kristensen said at the time.
‘It is unfortunate that thousands of residents in the area are being made to suffer through the violent actions of a handful of people,’ he said, referring to the mine’s 1 300 employees who support around 80 000 people in local communities.
Anyone who has information is urged to contact ZAC on 082 419 5143 or 082 419 5210.
ZAC mine produces roughly 700 000 tons of premium quality anthracite annually used by smelters around the country.
