TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – NYSE- and JSE-listed precious metals miner Sibanye Gold has been granted an interdict against a strike called at its Kroondal platinum operations, in South Africa, by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU).
The South African Labour Court on Friday declared any strike action by AMCU relating to the transport issues raised, unlawful and unprotected.
In terms of the judgment, AMCU may not participate in, incite or otherwise encourage any Kroondal employees to embark on unprotected strike action under the strike notice it issued earlier on Friday. The court ordered AMCU to suspend any strike action undertaken by its members.
“Sibanye is pleased with the ruling made by the Labour Court today. Kroondal management has been engaging with AMCU on this issue in good faith since January 2016. We will continue to engage with AMCU in order to find a workable solution,” stated Sibanye CEO of platinum operations Jean Nel.
Workers on Friday downed tools reportedly in protest over the appointment of a bus contractor.
The Kroondal mine is owned by Sibanye Gold, which acquired the asset through its buyout of Aquarius Platinum earlier this year. The mine was part of Sibanye’s Platinum division.
Sibanye's equity trading on the NYSE on Friday afternoon lost nearly 3% of its value to $11.54 apiece.