JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Gold companies AngloGold Ashanti, Evander Gold Mines, Harmony, Sibanye Gold and Village Main Reef met the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), Solidarity and Uasa over three days starting June 22.
Over this period, the unions tabled their demands while the producers tabled the principles of an economic and social sustainability compact.
These principles involved profitability and sustainability of the industry, partnerships between stakeholders, transparency and information sharing, employment retention and fair returns to all stakeholders in the context of the industry’s challenging situation.
When the negotiations reconvened on June 29, the gold producers planned to table an offer in respect of wages and benefits within the principles of the proposed compact.
Speaking on behalf of the gold companies, Dr Elize Strydom said: “We urge all parties to proceed with wage negotiations with an open mind and in good faith, and recognise our interdependence – the gold mining industry’s sustainability, its transformation and the welfare of its employees are a shared responsibility.”