JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Ongoing violent protests at a platinum mine in South Africa have killed at least nine people, as authorities struggled to control a massive crowd that at one point overpowered officers and stole their weapons, police said Monday.

The protests focused on a Lonmin PLC mine operation near Marikana, a town about 70 kilometers (40 miles) northwest of Johannesburg. Two police officers were killed during violent protests Monday, while another remained in critical condition, Brig. Lindela Mashigo said. Officers opened fire on the crowd, killing at least three people, he said.