Shabangu, mine reps meet to finalise stability framework

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Pretoria - Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu has met with stakeholders in the mining industry to conclude outstanding issues on the peace and stability framework signed last week.

Monday’s meeting between the minister, Chamber of Mines, South African Mining Development Association and organised labour follows three engagements last week, which culminated in the signing of the Framework for Peace and Stability in the Mining Industry.

Inputs made by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) were also considered, even though they had not signed the framework.

Parties in the agreement have collectively committed to the implementation of the framework.

“Our work is intended to stabilise the mining industry and will position the industry along the trajectory of sustainable growth and respond to the global market conditions", said Shabangu of the agreement.

The Chamber of Mines said the framework was a step in the right direction.

“The signing of this framework is a major achievement towards bringing stability and enhancing collaboration by all key stakeholders to address challenges together in the future,” said Mike Teke, the vice president of the Chamber of Mines. 

Labour union UASA said the framework was the starting point for all future engagements between stakeholders.

“The framework is a positive stepping stone towards addressing socio-economic challenges facing the working class, subsequent to identifying the root causes of the mining instability and violence,” said Alwyn van Heerden, the platinum sector manager at UASA.  

Amcu’s Joseph Mathunjwa, however, said it would communicate details of the accord to its membership to garner their input for shaping the agreement.

Solidarity said it was pleased that all stakeholders were committed to crafting a framework for the short term stability in the mining industry.

“This will ultimately lead to long term sustainability and growth of the industry and the creation of sustainable employment,” said Solidarity representative Leigh MacMaster.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said the framework laid a good foundation for mining stakeholders to secure peace and stability in the industry.

"We have made significant progress and we appreciate the constructive engagement of stakeholders, consistent with the well-entrenched culture of collaboration that characterises the mining industry stakeholders,” said NUM’s Senzeni Zokwana.

Furthermore, stakeholders have called on all workers to refrain from violence, intimidation, illegal gatherings and strikes as leaders are trying to normalise the working environment within the sector.

Officials will now work on a detailed action plan as part of the implementation of the framework and will report back to the principals soon. – SAnews.gov.za