Gold Fields spokesman Sven Lunsche said the company is considering firing its striking workers. "We obtained the second interdict, which gives us a right to [fire striking workers]," he said.

Lunsche said the company will not meet with striking workers because "they are not recognized." He urged the National Union of Mineworkers [NUM] to "engage with their striking members."

NUM spokesman Lesiba Seshoka said it is the shared duty of the unions and the employer to get the workers to return to work.

"The reality is that we all need to work together to find solutions to the current crises. The employers must come to the table and listen to the workers," Seshoka said.

The strike at Gold Fields' KDC West mine spread to the West Section of its Beatrix mine on Friday. The company reported attendance today was between 10%-15%.