Trigon Metals, a Kombat ores company, has laid off employees as the mine closes due to flooding from an underground water pump failure.

The 533 employees of the mine are distressed, citing that the failure of the water pump happened on 16 January and that the retrenchment was thus short notice.

The workers are also not satisfied with their retrenchment packages as laid out in their letters. Remuneration for those who worked for one year or longer will be one month’s salary.

The Mine Workers Union says they have previously engaged the leadership of the mine and were informed the retrenchment notices would be withdrawn, only to find the gate closed so workers would not enter.

The union has submitted the case to the Labour Commission on an urgent basis.

Meanwhile, the employees claim they lack the funds to return to their destinations, leaving them stranded.

Trigon Metals is still to issue a statement on the matter.