POLITICS

Lonmin's updates on mine violence

Company says five employees and two policemen killed, production severely disrupted

UPDATE ON VIOLENCE AT LONMIN

13 August 2012

Two more deaths at Lonmin; police according this high priority

Lonmin regrets to advise that a further two Lonmin employees have lost their lives in the  violent incidents sparked by suspected union rivalry taking place at the mine. This brings the  total to four employees who have been killed as a result of the rivalry.

Following the deaths of two security guards on Sunday morning, one more employee was  killed on Sunday evening in an ambush as he was going to report for duty. He had a deep  laceration to the skull and a fractured jaw.

A fourth employee has been found fatally wounded with five gunshot wounds. We extend our  deepest condolences to the families of these men.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) is maintaining a heavy presence at the mine,  where the situation remains tense and volatile. Senior SAPS officials, led by provincial police  commissioner Lt-Gen Zukiswa Mbombo, are attending to the issues and they are following a  number of leads. Operations are running on a reduced basis as employee turnout has been  low.

"We are grateful to the SAPS who are prioritising this issue," remarked Barnard Mokwena,  Executive Vice President, Human Capital & External Affairs, "and we are expecting the  situation to return to calm, given the level of security on site."

UPDATE 2 ON VIOLENCE AT LONMIN

August 13 2012

Situational update at Lonmin

Lonmin regrets to advise that two policemen and a fifth Lonmin employee have lost their  lives in the continuing violent incidents in the area around its operations. The incident follows  two days of violent clashes in the area which The South African Police service has blamed  on inter-union rivalry.

The two officers were part of a SAPS team attacked near the Karee Mine offices. Another  police officer is in a critical condition and has been taken to a hospital in Rustenburg. The  fifth casualty was part of the group that was being dispersed.  No further details regarding  these latest incidents are available at the moment.

Lonmin wishes to express its great sadness at this senseless loss of life and extends its  condolences to the families of the deceased.

Despite a heavy security presence, the situation remains tense and volatile.  "Whilst our first thoughts must be with the families of those killed and injured in these  criminal clashes, our operational priority is to see the violence stop," says Ian Farmer,  Lonmin CEO. "We continue to speak to the unions to appeal for calm, and to totally support  the police and government in their efforts to ensure appropriate resources are deployed to  protect life, which must be paramount."

Violence at Lonmin Operations

August 14 2012

Lonmin announces with regret a serious and ongoing outbreak of violence at its West Marikana mine  operations in South Africa. Seven Lonmin workers and two policemen have been killed in a dispute  between rival unions.

Production has been severely disrupted since Friday 10 August as a result of an illegal strike by  Rock  Drill Operators and increased incidences of violence and intimidation since then. Lonmin will make  further announcements as matters develop and as the impact on production and operations  becomes clearer.

Statement issued by Lonmin Plc, August 13 and 14 2012

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