NUM statement on Sibanye Platinum Bermuda of Anglo Platinum's Rustenburg Mines and Aquarius Platinum

NUM Media Statement,  19 October  2016

NUM statement on Sibanye Platinum Bermuda of Anglo Platinum's Rustenburg Mines and Aquarius Platinum

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in addition to the statement it released earlier about Sibanye Gold taking over Anglo Platinum operations in Rustenburg is aware of the Competition Tribunal of South Africa’s decision to approve the two transactions on the 16th March 2016; the union participated in the public hearings held on the 14th March 2016 and was concerned about the subsequent job losses which would result in Anglo American Platinum putting the mines under care and maintenance. Thus during the hearings the union submitted that the transaction should be approved with a moratorium on job losses as a result of the transaction (and subsequent consolidation between Bathopele and Kroondaal Operations from Aquarius Platinum). 

To the union's disappointment Tribunal on the 16, March 2016 issued an order approving the transactions on condition that retrenchments are limited to 14 Non-site office employees for the Aquarius Transaction and 200-250 Patterson C and above employees resulting from the consolidation that will happen after 12 months or so after the approval date. 

The NUM indicated it will use current legislative provisions to fight against the retrenchments and the company must make relevant mechanism in place to avoid such replacements.  

The NUM than subsequently received information from its members that delays with the  finalization of the relevant Section 11 approval in terms of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act 2002, will this week more likely lead to the Anglo American Platinum putting the mine under care and maintenance. This would have resulted in between 13 000 – 25 000 job losses in the area judging from the submission of Anglo Platinum and Sibanye Gold submissions during the hearings.  The union consulted the relevant parties with the main of finding an amicable solution and we are happy that the results are the avoidance of mass retrenchments in the platinum belt in line with the recent 10 point plan signed last year by all mining stakeholders.

Our intervention was in the aim of savings the jobs of thousands of mine workers and their families in the platinum belt and our challenges with Sibanye Gold in the Gold Sector are on-going and we will keep a watchful eye on the Platinum subsidiary not embarking on mass retrenchments.  

Luthando Brukwe (NUM Head of Transformation) on 072 022 3511

Livhuwani Mammburu: NUM National Spokesperson: 083 809 3257 

The National Union of Mineworkers
7 Rissik Street.
Cnr Frederick Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111 Cell: 083 809 3257
Twitter: @Num_Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NUM/100860023402167