Metorex had started retrenching 235 workers at its Consolidated Murchison Mine outside Phalaborwa without consultations as prescribed by the Labour Relations Act, Solidarity spokesman Jaco Kleynhans said in a statement.

"Solidarity maintains that the process should be halted so that the correct procedures can be followed. Nearly 350 employees were also retrenched here in March this year."

"The company now claims that the retrenchments need to be done due to economic reasons."

Solidarity said according to the Section 189 notice issued to employees regarding the planned retrenchment, the management also aimed to sell the mine as soon as possible.

"Employees were simply informed of the planned retrenchments last week and were told that the final payment date would be this coming Wednesday, November 25."

The company was "absolutely refusing" to consult about the planned retrenchments and trying to finalise the process as quickly as possible, he claimed.

Kleynhans said that if management got its way, it would mean the employees concerned could be fired within two weeks after being informed of the planned retrenchments.

Solidarity insisted a complete consultation process be followed.

"Meanwhile, the company has made a wage increase offer of three percent to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), while other categories of workers are facing retrenchment."

Metorex was not immediately available for comment.

Consolidated Murchison Mine is the only producer of antimony in South Africa and produces about eight percent of the world's antimony.

Gold is also mined there.