JOHANNESBURG - Officials at Gold One Mine in Springs are concerned for the safety of close to 500 miners, currently staging a sit-in underground.
Monday marks the 4th day of their protest, and they refuse to budge.
Workers are demanding the reinstatement of 52 of their dismissed colleagues, and for the recognition of AMCU as the dominant union.
At the same time, a meeting with Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has failed to broker a deal.
This is the second sit-in at the mine in as many months.
Both NUM and AMCU have distanced themselves from what is going on underground.
Officials are also concerned about food, water and medical supplies running short.