Through its housing project, gold mining company Sibanye Gold was adhering to the Mining Charter, which called for decent living conditions for all mining company employees, Mineral Resource Minister Susan Shabangu said last week at the handover of 100 new family accommodation units to Sibanye Gold employees in Libanon, near the company’s Kloof mine, near Westonaria in Gauteng.
The units were built at a cost of R31.5-million. The units com- prise two bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen and a lounge area and are located in the secure Tswelo-pele and Lehae Park complexes. The units form part of Sibanye Gold’s housing project aimed at encouraging family living.
“The contribution of these houses is key to improving the social conditions of the workers. “Projects like these integrate mineworkers into human settlements and bring back their dignity,” Shabangu said.
She added that mining companies had the responsibility to contribute towards better living conditions for their workers as those workers were contributing towards the sustainability and economic viability of the company.
“There is a direct link between the sustainable future of the company and that of its employees,” the Minister reiterated.
The 100 family units also make it possible for mineworkers to have their families live with them, which was important, she added.
“Having a family life contributes to increased productivity, while also dealing with the issue of absenteeism, as the workers would not have to take time off to visit their families.”
Also speaking at the handover, Sibanye Gold CEO Neal Froneman added: “We especially want to afford our employees the opportunity to live with their families in communities close to the operations.”
In the West Wits area, Sibanye Gold has spent close to R200-million and provided 812 family units for various communities, including the 100 units handed over last week.
“Our investment in developing local communities is a clear sign of the confidence that our mining operations will continue to provide significant employment opportunities and economic benefits for many decades to come,” he said.
In addition to the newly built family units, Sibanye Gold’s housing project also entailed upgrading eight hostels to reduce occupancy density and improve the amenities, as well as converting some hostels into family units.
The hostel upgrade project has reduced the occupancy rate from six to ten people sharing a room to an average of 1.2 people sharing a room.
Other accommodation options available to employees include houses, flats and single and married quarters. Employees are free to choose their preferred accommodation option.
Meanwhile, Froneman told Mining Weekly he believed there was still a place for migrant labour and that 60% of Sibanye Gold’s employees indicated in a survey that they wanted to live in high-density accommodation.
“This leaves us with the challenge of making that high-density accommodation much more [comfortable] to improve the living standards of those employees.
“Simultaneously, we also have to address community issues and ensure that the migrant workers can go to their hometowns much more often. If this is done, migrant labour will become acceptable,” he says.