JSE-listed Wesizwe Platinum says the consultation and facilitation process in terms of Section 189A of the Labour Relations Act (LRA), conducted under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, officially concluded on August 31, following temporary closure of the company’s Bakubung mine, in the North West.

The company in July reported that it would embark on a phased restart of operations at the mine, subject to the conclusion of a memorandum of agreement currently under discussion with the recognised trade unions and employee representatives.

Operations at the mine were halted for a three-week period, from June 3, to enable Wesizwe to facilitate meaningful engagement during a consultation process with employees and labour unions on proposed retrenchments at the mine.

The consultation process resulted in a restructuring settlement agreement being concluded with the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) and representatives of affected employees outside the bargaining unit.

Despite extensive engagement, no agreement was reached with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which did not sign the restructuring settlement agreement, Wesizwe says.

Management is currently finalising the post-consultation administrative processes, which include reintegrating retained employees and determining the final outcomes regarding the termination of affected employees.

Once internal validation and implementation steps are completed, the company will formally communicate the verified final impact and key operational restart milestones through the appropriate regulatory, shareholder and employee channels.

Wesizwe stresses that throughout the process, management engaged extensively with recognised labour representatives and affected non-unionised employees.

The consultations focused on exploring potential alternatives to retrenchment and considering mitigation measures aligned with both the statutory requirements of the LRA and the operational requirements of the mine.

The company has also acknowledged the period of uncertainty experienced by employees, their families and the surrounding local communities during this process.

“The board and management remain committed to maintaining respectful stakeholder engagement, ensuring safe and responsible operations, and driving the long-term sustainability of the Bakubung platinum mine,” Wesizwe says.