Gold mines hit by power outage

A fire at Eskom’s substation outside Carletonville, which disrupted operations at mines in the area last week, would dent first-quarter gold output, AngloGold Ashanti and Sibanye Gold said yesterday. Production has resumed at AngloGold’s Mponeng and TauTona shafts and at Sibanye’s Driefontein mine after power was restored. Both firms were hit by an outage after the fire, which was believed to have been caused by storms. Sibanye Gold said total production losses to March 31 would amount to 12 646 ounces, while AngloGold said it would lose about 20 000 ounces. “There was not sufficient power to run ventilation… and other associated production activities,” AngloGold said. – Dineo Faku