Impala platinum
Mines not complying with COVID-19 regulations will be closed, says Makhura
The premier declared the West Rand a COVID-19 hotspot after the number of cases at mines in the area exceeded 200.
Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa said that the only way to ensure the safety of mineworkers and the industry’s sustainability was through testing all workers.
The decision to shut down the mine, for now, was taken at the weekend after the cluster of infections was identified.
The mining giant said at least 19 workers have contracted the virus, with 17 of the confirmed cases locally transmitted, after the Health Department in the province initially reported 13 cases.
Implats said in its quarterly update that it expects annual refined production of between 2.6 million and 2.9 million ounces this year, compared with previous guidance of between 3 million and 3.4 million ounces.
Munroe appeared in the Bafokeng magistrates court on Friday following allegations that the company contravened lockdown regulations.
He allegedly called workers back for operations, including non-essential operations.
On Sunday, the company sent its workers SMSes to return to work on Tuesday. However, the NUM said it was not consulted by the mine.
The company sent its workers SMSes on Sunday to return to work on Tuesday.
Implats said that it would continue operating its number 12 and 14 shafts for the foreseeable future, securing 10,000 jobs, and would then continue to mine 1 shaft for its remaining life of three years, securing 2,500 jobs.
The mining company said it has shut production at its Rustenberg and Marula mines due to load shedding.
The signing ceremony will take place in Muldersdrift, a town in South Africa’s platinum mining heartlands 30 kms northwest of Johannesburg at 0800 GMT on Wednesday, Amcusaid.
Improved operational performance will also help headline earnings per share to bounce back in the year ended 30 June from a loss of 171 cents in the previous year.
The trade union claims to represent 60,000 workers in the sector and has just come out of a five-month strike over wages against Sibanye-Stillwater's gold division.
Joseph Mathunjwa warned last week of unspecified industrial action by his Amcu at Implats over its plans to cut around a third of its workforce, in a bid to return to profits in the face of depressed prices and soaring costs.
Napoleon Webster says that President Ramaphosa should exercise his power in dealing with mine management who are determined to retrench workers.
Radio 702's Karima Brown interviews the ANC's head of presidency, Zizi Kodwa.
As part of its plan, the bullion producer warns its likely to cut around 1,100 jobs. That’s about 30% of its workforce.
Amcu has accused the government of being a capitalist state and making it easy for mining bosses to abuse their employees.