South African gold mining company says labor unrest threatens future of mine

JOHANNESBURG – A South African gold mining company says one of its mines will stay closed for now because of labor unrest.

Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. said Monday that it would seek an agreement with labor that would allow the Kusasalethu mine to operate without threats to the safety of employees.

But the company is considering whether to shut the mine altogether and proceed with layoffs if negotiations fail. The mine was closed last month.

In November, the company said two of its workers were killed and another injured in violence at the mine southwest of Johannesburg, amid labor unrest at mines across South Africa.