NUM of South Africa and Harmony Will Evaluate Job Cuts

South Africa’s NUM and Harmony Gold Mining Ltd., along with two other unions, agreed to establish a task force composed of geologists, financial experts and labour and management officials to ward off the company’s announced intent to shutter six mine shafts that could have cut the jobs of 5,000 workers. The compromise centers on the principle of saving jobs and not closing the shafts, and the task force will deliver its assessment on 3 May. “We are pleased that a process to ensure we meet these objectives is in place and acceptable to everyone,” said NUM Gen. Sec. Gwede Mantashe.

But strikes due to retrenchments and pay could occur by the NUM at two other firms in South Africa’s gold and platinum sectors. Goldfields has indicated it intends to reduce its workforce at the Driefontein gold mine, and talks have failed over economics at Modikwa Platinum, a joint venture between AngloPlatinum and African Rainbow Minerals. NUM states it would like Goldfields to follow Harmony’s approach by getting all parties seriously engaged to find a collective means to save jobs.