Gold Field aims to outlast its striking workforce

Speaking in an interview with Moneyweb's Alec Hogg on SAFM radio Thursday, Holland said this is a "war of attrition, if need be we can sit it out, we are financially very strong, we don't have to do anything anytime soon." He added he is hoping that the on-going strikers will be worn down through lack of financial means.

The majority of Gold Field's 15000 strong workforce at its KDC West mine have embarked on strike action almost two and a half weeks ago and a further 9 000 Beatrix mine employees have downed tools on Monday. The workers are not getting paid, and that is "going to be unsustainable for them."

Holland said, however, that inaction will eventually lead to safety issues - "so I don't think that we can wait too long on just sitting this thing out." Mineweb reports that the miner has obtained the necessary interdicts that will allow it to dismiss illegally striking employees and Holland doesn't rule this out as an option whilst being mindful of safety risks and logistics involved.

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