Harmony Gold, South Africa’s third-largest gold producer and the world’s third largest gold mining company, on Tuesday said it will cut jobs at its Kusasalethu mine, following an intensive performance review of recorded losses since late 2012.

Having suffered various setbacks; strikes, union rivalry, technical glitches and a shut-down needed to remove illegal miners, Kusasalethu has not returned to profitability. Graham Briggs, Harmony chief executive officer, said the company has begun a 60-day consultation with unions at the mine, which employs about 6,300 people including contractors.

“We need to be both decisive and mindful in our actions so that we preserve the viability of this mine for several decades to come. Without these actions, this mine will not survive and that would indeed be a tragedy for our company, our employees, our communities and our country,” said Briggs.

The parties will, during the 60-day consultation period, consider avoidance measures that may include offering voluntary separation and early retirement packages to employees, as well as seeking to transfer as many employees as possible to vacancies that exist elsewhere in the company.

As part of its recovery plan, the mine will also start digging a lower volume of ore at higher grades and reduced cost.

Briggs emphasized Harmony’s commitment to working with its social partners, government, unions, employees and shareholders in arriving at a sustainable solution.