https://www.miningweekly.com

Violence erupts as Sibanye workers strike at Cooke

Sibanye gold division CEO Wayne Robinson

Sibanye gold division CEO Wayne Robinson

9th June 2017

By: Megan van Wyngaardt

Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

     

Font size: - +

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Employees at dual-listed Sibanye’s Cooke operations, near Westonaria, Gauteng, have embarked on an illegal and unprotected industrial strike, following the company’s attempts to combat illegal mining, which is threatening the mine’s sustainability.

Sibanye gold division CEO Wayne Robinson noted on Friday that illegal mining was not only threatening the safety of Sibanye employees and surrounding communities, but also the viability of operations.

Despite the miner communicating its concerns about illegal mining to employees, and receiving agreement from majority union National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) that its members would not strike, employees nevertheless embarked on the unprotected strike before Tuesday’s nightshift.

“This strike action supports our view that there is significant collusion taking place throughout the industry that supports this illegal and dangerous activity,” said Robinson.

Seventy-one illegal miners have surfaced from Cooke’s underground operations and been arrested since the start of the unprotected strike, highlighting the extent of the problem.

Sibanye has noted that the strike was associated with threats and intimidation from Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) members.

NUM had reported that 16 of its members were allegedly attacked and assaulted by alleged AMCU members while going to work on Wednesday morning.

Four of the 16 members who were attacked are in critical condition and three were airlifted to Milpark hospital, in Johannesburg.

“We condemn any violence and intimidation against employees and will take appropriate action against any perpetrators,” said Robinson.

Sibanye said in a statement that, owing to the intimidation and violence, it has increased security in the areas surrounding the mines and routes to the operations to ensure the safety of employees who wish to report for work.

Meanwhile, an interdict against the strike was granted by the Labour Court on Thursday. However, despite communicating to members that the interdict had been issued and the consequences of persisting with the strike, Sibanye employees have yet to return to work.

As a result, dismissal procedures have been implemented against striking employees.

Edited by Samantha Herbst
Creamer Media Deputy Editor

Comments

Showroom

Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East
Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East

Weir Minerals Europe, Middle East and Africa is a global supplier of excellent minerals solutions, including pumps, valves, hydrocyclones,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
SABAT
SABAT

From batteries for boats and jet skis, to batteries for cars and quad bikes, SABAT Batteries has positioned itself as the lifestyle battery of...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Hyphen, Eva mine, ferrochrome price make headlines
Hyphen, Eva mine, ferrochrome price make headlines
27th March 2024
Resources Watch
Resources Watch
27th March 2024

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:3.24 3.272s - 90pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now