Africa's second largest producer of Metals, Gold Fields Ltd.'s plan to move to a 6 day week for workers in order to increase the productivity has been criticised by Royal Bank of Canada, who believes that it will only amount to increase the fatigue in the workers, hence negatively affecting the productivity.

In response to an email, the London-based RBC mining analyst, Leon Esterhuizen said, "I don't think a 6-day work week will work. The fact is that this is a very bad working environment and people that do this work really need the two days off."

Gold Fields has informed through a statement that the company has been in talks with the labour unions about a longer week so as to compensate for the loss of production due to Christmas and Easter holidays, and safety and other stoppages in order to increase the efficiency and avoid the job cuts.

Gold Field further added that the total costs during the quarter increased by 5 percent to reach $613 per ounce due to a stronger rand and at an expected rand/dollar exchange rate of 7.45 rand, the cost are further expected to rise to $650.