All mining activities have been suspended at Gold Fields’ South African gold producing operations.
This is due to Eskom, South Africa's electricity public utility, requesting their key industrial consumers (KIC), of which Gold Fields is one, to reduce its consumption to the minimum load possible.
A decision was taken to put no shifts down last night and no shifts were put down this morning. Eskom has indicated that 'KIC loads will be reduced to 'survival levels' or switched out totally for the next two to four weeks.'
Ian Cockerill, chief executive officer of Gold Fields, commented: ‘This will have a serious effect on the South African operations and will negatively affect our gold production. The South African Operations produce approximately 7000 ounces per day. We are looking at ways to continue operations and will work closely with Eskom to try and resolve this problem.’
