Harmony Gold's operations in Gauteng and the North West Province have been hit by Thursday's strike.

"All operations in the two provinces have been affected," Harmony spokesperson Amelia Soares said.

"However, our contractors are at work — but the mine workers are on strike."

Harmony is the fifth largest gold producer in the world.

The Congress of SA Trade Unions was staging a one-day stayaway against rising food and electricity prices in Limpopo, North West, Eastern Cape and Gauteng on Wednesday.

There had been very little impact from Wednesday's strike on some of AngloGold Ashanti's mines, spokesperson Joane Jones said.

"There has been very little impact at our West Wits operations — they're basically operating as normal," she said.

AngloGold Ashanti's West Wits operations include the Mponeng, Savuka and Tautona mines which fall under both the Gauteng and North West provinces.

However, the group's Vaal River operations had been affected, Jones said.

These include the Great Noligwa, Kopanang, Tau Lekoa and Moab Khotsong mines.

These mines straddle the Free State and North West provinces.

"They're more heavily affected and this will impact on production — but this number is hard to quantify now," Jones said.

"But we will make up production lost.

"We've been in dialogue with the unions to try and mitigate the impact of this strike action ... We have some understanding of the concerns expressed by labour .. but we have to maintain production and safety at our mines."

She said that essential services — which she defined as any matter related to safety — were running.

"Safety is important for us," Jones said.

AngloGold Ashanti is the third largest gold producer in the world.

Sapa

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