Rustenburg - Explosives with an estimated street value of R135 000 were discovered at Lonmin's mine in Marikana, near Rustenburg, North West police said on Tuesday.
Mine security found three people walking underground on Sunday where nobody was supposed to be due to the current strike, Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.
“A reaction group was sent immediately to the shaft where they saw suspects coming out of the shaft.”
The three jumped over a fence and ran away.
Police were alerted and seized the explosives and 500kg of copper wire.
“It is not yet determined how these recovered properties were going to be utilised. No one has been arrested and SA Police Service members as well as mine security are still investigating.”
Theft dockets were opened.
Mineworkers affiliated to the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union at Lonmin, Impala Platinum and Anglo American Platinum, have been on strike since January 23 demanding a basic monthly salary of R12 500.
They rejected the companies' offer that would bring their cash remuneration to R12 500 by July 2017.
Sapa