Attendance at Harmony normal

Attendance at Harmony Gold's Kusasalethu and Masimong mines was normal on Thursday morning, following the suspension of a strike by Amcu in the gold sector, the company said. "Harmony Gold Mining... 

'Turbulent' times for labour – Oliphant

Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant on Tuesday warned of turbulence in the labour market. "Recent developments in the labour front signify a turbulent period ahead, but I still believe that it is... 

Illegal miners rescued from Florida shaft

A man has been arrested for illegal mining and trespassing in Florida, on the West Rand, Gauteng police said on Tuesday. "Florida SAPS responded to a call from a local resident about a group [of... 

Seshoka leaves NUM

National Union of Mineworkers' (NUM) spokesman Lesiba Seshoka is leaving the union at the end of the month, he said on Wednesday. "I am joining an institution of higher education which I may not... 

Concourt to rule on mining rights case

The Constitutional Court will hand down judgment on Thursday in an application for leave to appeal against a decision on the mining rights of properties in Kuruman in the Northern Cape. The... 

World bows in respect to Mandela

The death Thursday of South Africa's liberation leader and first democratic president Nelson Mandela triggered an unprecedented worldwide chorus of awed respect. Statesmen, resistance leaders,... 

Northam strike results in revenue losses of R360m

Losses in revenue and wages because of a month-long strike at Northam Platinum's Zondereinde mine in Limpopo are running at R400-million, the company said on Tuesday. "Revenue losses for the period... 

Illegal miners rescued

Four illegal miners trapped in a mine near Robertville on the West Rand were rescued on Monday afternoon, paramedics said. "Rescue workers managed to reach them safely and they were removed from... 

Killings disregard peace accord – Modise

The peace accord signed to bring stability to the mines has been completely disregarded in Marikana, North West premier Thandi Modise said on Wednesday. “It is clear that our repeated pleas for... 

Too many strikes – Oliphant

Government is struggling to contain the frequency of wage-related protests, Deputy Mineral Resources Minister Godfrey Oliphant said on Tuesday. The surge in strikes, observed from 2007, calls for a... 

Mining fatalities hit record low

The number of fatalities in the mining industry dropped to the lowest ever recorded last year, according to the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate. "Actual fatalities declined from 123 in 2011 to... 

Govt clamps down on illegal mining

Progress has been made in stopping illegal mining on the West Rand, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu said on Thursday. "We have made progress -- 135 people have been arrested and some have... 

Strikes in SA hit five-year high

The number of strikes last year in South Africa hit a five-year high, the labour department said on Wednesday. A total of 99 strikes were recorded in 2012, close to half of them unprotected or... 

Cabinet warns against strike violence

Cabinet has urged protesters and strikers to refrain from violence. The right to strike should be exercised in a non-violent manner, acting government spokeswoman Phumla Williams told reporters in... 

Gold miners to down tools at night shift

Members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in the gold sector will down tools on their night shift on Tuesday, the union said. "The night shift is dependent on the mine, but it generally... 

Concourt to hear mining rights case

The Constitutional Court will hear an application on Tuesday for leave to appeal against a decision on the mining rights of properties in Kuruman in the Northern Cape. The application is being... 

Strikes becoming more, longer – lawyer

Strikes in the mining industry over the past few years have increased and are lasting longer, labour relations expert Andrew Levy said on Wednesday. "While strikes are increasing at a reasonably... 

Gold mining silicosis lawsuit consolidation sought

Lawyers for three separate class actions against gold mining companies have applied to the High Court in Johannesburg to have the cases consolidated. The lawyers represent more than 25 000 miners... 

Shale gas exploration could move ahead before 2014 elections

Government could authorise shale gas exploration before next year's elections, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said on Thursday. "We want to move before the end of this administration,"... 

Economy failed miners, says AMCU's Mathunjwa

Mineworkers have not benefited from the country's economic gains, AMCU president Joseph Mathunjwa said on Friday. "No mineworker is being paid a living wage. The living wage has not been... 

Slain Marikana workers to be remembered

Slain Marikana workers did not die in vain, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) said on Tuesday. All 44 people killed during wage-related unrest at Lonmin's platinum mine... 

Gold sector talks resume

Wage talks between unions and gold producers resumed at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration on Tuesday, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said. "Union representatives,... 

NUM wants members at Lonmin back

The transfer of National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) members to a rival union was irregular, the Labour Court in Johannesburg heard on Thursday. "The process was tainted, it was a mess," said Gys... 

Cosatu plans NW marches, seeks 'fair' union treatment

Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) in the North West will during the next two weeks hold a series of marches at mines in the province over union matters, it said on Thursday.... 

Mining law amendment changed

Government has confirmed that eleventh-hour changes were made to an amendment to mining legislation that has alarmed the already embattled industry. Mineral resources official Trevor Hattingh said... 

DA to push for labour reform

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will push for labour reforms in Parliament this week to address underlying causes of mining unrest, the party said on Monday. The labour portfolio committee would meet... 

Improve workers' economic literacy – analyst

South Africa should invest in improving workers' economic literacy to strengthen the country's labour relations, an analyst said on Thursday. "One of the things that is a by-product of 15 to 20... 

Peacekeeping for mines mooted

The government is considering deploying a peacekeeping force in the mining sector, Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant said on Monday. The objective was to contain the violence which had plagued the... 

'Act within the law', Chamber asks unions

The Chamber of Mines has called on unions and employers to act professionally and within the law to ensure peaceful wage talks this year, according to an interview broadcast on SAfm on Monday. "It... 

NUM has until July to regain majority at Lonmin

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has until July 16 to regain its majority at Lonmin so it can keep its offices at the eastern and western mines in Rustenburg, it said on Wednesday. This was... 

Mining industry vital for NDP – Mkhize

The mining industry will play an important role in delivering 11 million additional jobs as envisaged in the National Development Plan (NDP), African National Congress (ANC) treasurer general Zweli... 

Zuma warns on mining unrest

Continuing wildcat strikes and tension in the mining industry could impoverish South Africa, President Jacob Zuma warned on Thursday. "If the workers demand higher wages and that becomes a point of... 

Eskom unions set demands for salary talks

Three trade unions for Eskom employees have submitted their demands ahead of this year's salary negotiations, the power utility said on Tuesday. Spokeswoman Hilary Joffe said the negotiation... 

Gordhan warns of unrest cross-roads

South Africa is at a cross-roads over renewed labour unrest in the mining sector, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan warned on Tuesday. Introducing debate on his budget vote in the National Assembly,... 

Amplats strike plans suspended

Plans for a strike over retrenchments at Anglo American Platinum's (Amplats) Rustenburg operation have been suspended, the workers' committee said on Thursday. "We decided to wait until Friday to... 

Ministers to visit Marikana

Cabinet will send a delegation of Ministers to Marikana in the North West to calm renewed unrest, acting Minister in the Presidency Edna Molewa said on Thursday. Government was extremely concerned... 

Lonmin miners return to work

Striking workers at the Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana in the North West resolved to return to work immediately on Wednesday. Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) president... 

NUM, Kumba to hold talks

Mineworkers' union NUM said on Monday it was holding talks with Kumba Iron Ore about the dismissal of 120 workers. The dismissed workers sent representatives to picket at the National Union of... 

Look after miners and farmworkers – Zuma

Organised labour must pay more attention to the living conditions of South African miners and farmworkers, President Jacob Zuma said on Wednesday. "We need to fight that part of the struggle... 

Union pay by employer to stop – CoM

The practice of union office bearers being paid by an employer is a legacy which will be stopped, senior executive at the Chamber of Mines Vusi Mabena said on Thursday. "Companies have come...