JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s Royal Bafokeng Platinum was ordered Thursday by mining inspectors to suspend operations at its North shaft, according to two people familiar with the situation.
The company was issued with a Section 54 notice for the entire shaft, said the people who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public. The suspension follows a similar notice a week ago which resulted in the shutdown of the operation at parts of the South shaft for safety reasons.
Inspectors from South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources returned to the mine earlier on Thursday, according to the people. Ayanda Shezi, a spokesperson for the department, didn’t immediately return calls made to her mobile phone. Emails to the department weren’t immediately responded to.
The Johannesburg-based miner informed Aforika Borwa Mining Solutions – a company linked to the politically connected Gupta family – that it won’t renew its contract, Royal Bafokeng said last week.