Global mining and metals processing group Sibanye-Stillwater says it has received notification from the United Steelworkers union that its members, covered by the Stillwater East platinum group metals (PGMs) mine and Columbus metallurgical facility collective bargaining agreement, plan to embark on strike action from 07:00 on September 3.

The strike notice relates specifically to employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement for the Stillwater East mine and Columbus metallurgical facility, in the US.

The East Boulder mine is covered by a separate collective bargaining agreement and is not included in this strike notice. Negotiations under the East Boulder agreement are continuing, the company points out.

Sibanye-Stillwater says it has been engaging with the union for more than four months to conclude a new collective bargaining agreement. It states that it remains committed to constructive engagement and to reaching an agreement that appropriately recognises employees' interests while enabling the operational changes required to secure the longer-term sustainability of the US PGM operations.

“Successfully reducing the unit operating costs at the US PGM operations remains an imperative to securing the long-term future of these operations and to justify required future capital investment. The productivity transformation programme has been carefully planned and designed to achieve this, and the proposed bargaining agreement is critical to enable the productivity and operating changes required.

"We have a clear plan to secure the future of these operations. However, if that plan cannot be implemented and the operations remain unsustainable, there may ultimately be no viable basis for the continued operation. We remain committed to constructive engagement with the United Steelworkers to reach agreement that will secure the long-term sustainability of these world-class operations that produce critical metals in the United States, preserve employment and create lasting value for all stakeholders,” Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Richard Stewart comments.