Johannesburg - North West premier Thandi Modise will lead a
provincial delegation on Thursday to meet Anglo Platinum [JSE:AMS] management
on the proposed closure of four shafts.
"Premier Modise will use the opportunity to share the
concern of the provincial government regarding the consultation processes,
impact of job losses on employees and their dependants," spokesperson Lesiba
Kgwele said.
"The North West Province, known as the platinum
province, is responsible for 94% of South Africa's platinum. The province might
be the worst hit by Amplats proposal as 13 000 of the jobs are in the
Rustenburg area."
On Tuesday, workers embarked on a strike and refused to go
underground following the company's announcement that about 14 000 jobs could
be lost by its plan to stop production at four of its shafts in Rustenburg.
The Amplats announcement came after Harmony Gold Mining Company [JSE:HAR] said it was
suspending operations at its Kusasalethu mine in Carletonville to review
operations after several illegal strikes.
Kgwele said the Modise would "interrogate how these
could be mitigated" if the proposal proceeds.
Meanwhile, Anglo Platinum miners have returned to
work and abandoned their illegal strike on Wednesday night, the National Union
of Mineworkers said.
"The workers returned back to work last night
(Wednesday) after we agreed during the day to put an end to the strike,"
spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said on Thursday.
"There are still a few workers that have not returned
to work especially in the Khomanani mine but we are confident that they will
return today (Thursday). Our next step is to engage in talks with Amplats."
Amplats spokesperson Mpumi Sithole confirmed on Thursday
that workers returned to work on Wednesday night.
"I can confirm that our employees have clocked in and
have proceeded underground to commence with their shifts at our Rustenburg
operations and in the north of Pilanesburg, all is normal," she said.
Further details were not available.
Seshoka said the NUM would try to persuade the company to
not go ahead with the retrenchments.
"All of us must remain open to engage on this
issue," he added.
Modise is expected to meet the mining company on Thursday
afternoon at the Invest North West Offices in Rustenburg.
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