South African Power Crisis Threatens Gold Field Jobs

South Africa's continuing power struggles may claim nearly 7,000 jobs at Gold Fields, one of the world's largest gold producers.

As part of an attempt to manage widespread energy shortages, state utility Eskom has reduced Gold Field's electricity supply by ten percent.

Gold Fields says the job cuts, which represent 13 percent of its workforce, would reduce its output by 20-25 percent.

Eskom has called for increased coal supplies to tackle the energy crisis, which brought a halt to mining in the country last month.

By staff writer