The company said it the union failed to respect a high court order granted last week which obliged it to call off the strike, in line with a labour court ruling that it was unlawful.

It said according to the high court order, two members of the union were allowed to engage with miners who remain underground to persuade them to vacate the mine.

"It is disappointing that they could not convince their members to abide by the court order and vacate the mine premises," the company said.

"As a result, LANXESS has no option but to embark on a disciplinary process against its employees that are on strike. NUMSA has been informed about the disciplinary action."

A group of 142 miners have remained underground since mid-February, in support of the union's demand for the dismissal of managers they deem corrupt.

LANXESS on Tuesday said there was an attempt by other miners to force their way into the mine at the weekend to take food to their colleagues underground.

"In order to avoid further violence, LANXESS has agreed that NUMSA will provide the strikers with ready-made food from an external caterer," the company said.

African News Agency (ANA)