COLUMBUS — A cyberattack disrupted operations at the Sibanye Stillwater mining operations in Montana earlier this week.
Mine officials informed MTN News that they are still in the process of gathering information on the extent of the attack.
According to Sibanye, some computer systems were offline in the afternoon but were gradually being restored.
In a press release issued on Thursday, the mining company clarified that only the payroll system was affected by the attack.
Despite this statement, a representative from the United Steelworkers Union mentioned that smelter operations in Columbus were impacted due to the malfunctioning of all automated systems.
The Columbus facility, where recycled mine material is processed, employs hundreds of individuals who continue to work, as per the company’s update.
Sibanye Stillwater, headquartered in South Africa, owns the Stillwater and East Boulder mines in Montana in addition to the Columbus smelter, and stands as one of the significant employers in the region.
The company is the sole producer of platinum and palladium in North America.
