* Output at KDC suspended
* 8,500 more workers join Gold Fields strike
* Striking gold miners refuse to go back to work
* Companies may close mines, dismiss workers – union
(Recasts with Gold Fields, adds Harmony, Solidarity)
By Sherilee Lakmidas
JOHANNESBURG, Oct 15 (Reuters) – South African bullion
producer Gold Fields suspended output at its KDC
operations on Monday after 8,500 workers joined wildcat strikes
sweeping through the sector in Africa’s biggest economy.
Gold Fields said around 19,500 of KDC’s 26,700-strong
workforce were now part of the strike. The operation, which
includes the KDC West and East mines, produced 279,600 ounces of
gold in the April-June quarter, roughly a third of group output.
“Production at the entire KDC has now been suspended,” the
company said in a statement.
Since August, 75,000 miners have downed tools in often
illegal and violent walkouts that are hitting economic growth
and investor confidence, and raising questions about President
Jacob Zuma’s leadership shortly before a leadership election in
the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
Continued…
