JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – World number-one platinum producer Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) said on Wednesday it had formally signed a two-year wage agreement with South African unions.

CEO Neville Nicolau said he was pleased with the outcome and the manner in which the process was handled.

The National Union of Mine Workers (NUM), the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa and United Association of South Africa have agreed to wage increases of 10% for lower paid workers and 8.5% for higher paid workers in the first year, and 9% and 8% respectively in the second year.

In the event that the 12-month average year-on-year consumer price index equals 8% in the second year, the increase will be 8% plus 2%, and 9% plus 2%.

“We are fully committed to the wellbeing of our employees, and the safety and health of our employees remains our first priority.

“We are committed to eliminating mine accidents and fatalities and believe that we can only achieve this by working closely with our tripartite partners in labour and government to develop sustainable solutions to achieving our ambition of zero harm,” Nicolau said.

NUM deputy general secretary and chief negotiator at Amplats, Oupa Komane, previously said he was happy for its members. “We are very happy that we have been able to negotiate for what makes them happy.”

Negotiations at Impala Platinum, Northam Platinum and Lonmin are still under way.

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