Brazil closes 47 unsafe mining dams 16 April, 2020Brazil has ordered the immediate closure of 47 tailings dams as their stability could not be certified. More than half of the mines belong to Vale, the company responsible for the country's worst ever environmental and human disaster.
Sintracarbón ends collective bargaining dispute with Cerrejón6 April, 2020IndustriALL Colombian affiliate Sintracarbón has withdrawn its list of demands from Cerrejón, ending the collective bargaining dispute and cancelling the strike approved by union members.
South Africa: 378 trapped mineworkers safely rescued11 March, 2020378 mineworkers were rescued on 10 March after being trapped underground for nine hours. The workers were trapped when a UV 72 machine used to transport workers and materials underground caught fire at Sibanye Stillwater Simunye Shaft in Rustenburg.
Ukrainian coal miners bring challenges to the President26 February, 2020For the first time in six years, the President of Ukraine participated in the All-Ukrainian coal miners meeting on 25 February in Kiev, and promised to pay all wages owed to coal miners in state-owned enterprises within two months.
Marble quarry accident highlights ongoing slaughter in Pakistan mines26 February, 2020At least ten people were killed and 30 were trapped after a rock slide at a marble quarry in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on 22 February. The horrific accident highlights the ongoing slaughter in Pakistan’s mines, which kill 200 workers each year.
Sintracarbón reaches critical step at Cerrejón25 February, 2020IndustriALL affiliate Sintracarbón and mining company Cerrejón have agreed to extend the collective bargaining period until 6 March. If no agreement is reached by then, the union will vote whether to go on strike.
Unions optimistic as AngloGold Ashanti's Obuasi mine in Ghana resumes operations20 February, 2020Following a period of uncertainty, when the Obuasi mine was put on limited operations, and then on care and maintenance in 2016, the mine is up and running again.
Mexico must ratify ILO C17618 February, 2020On 19 February 2006, 65 workers died following a methane gas explosion at the Grupo Mexico mine in Pasta de Conchos, Mexico. Only two bodies were recovered before the company sealed the mine. As the 14th anniversary of the mining tragedy approaches, IndustriALL is calling on the Mexican government to ratify ILO Convention 176 on Safety and Health in Mines.
Responsible mining protects workers’ and communities’ rights6 February, 2020With sustainability and responsible mining gaining momentum, the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) standards for responsible mining is emerging as a credible tool for quality assurance. More than 30 representatives from unions, non-governmental organizations and community groups in 12 countries, met in Cape Town on 2 February to discuss how the tool can protect workers and community rights.
Union to negotiate with Glencore over retrenchments at South African smelter30 January, 2020IndustriALL Global Union affiliate the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), will meet commodity trader Glencore in consultative meetings about retrenchments at Rustenburg Smelter. The meetings will be mediated by the Commission of Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
