text: East Dries miners fail to report for work . JOHANNESBURG 1996-08-30 Workers at Driefontein Consolidated Ltd 's east gold mine have failed to report for work since Wednesday night , mine managers Gold Fields of South Africa Ltd said on Friday . " Discussions with employee and union representatives are continuing , " the company said in a statement . It gave no further details . At least 17 miners have been killed in labour unrest -- sparked by ethnic differences -- at Driefontein Consolidated and Gold Fields ' Kloof Gold Mining Co this month . -- Johannesburg newsroom , +27-11 482 1003