[miningmx.com] – THANKS to an official agreement between the South African government and the mining industry there is currently peace and stability in the sector, said Joel Raphela, deputy director general of mineral regulations.
Raphela was part of a delegation from the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) who brought a parliamentary oversight committee on mining matters up to speed with progress on the Framework Agreement for a Sustainable Mining Industry.
In 2013, former deputy president Kgalema Mothlanthe convened role players in the industry in an attempt to stabilise the mining sector, following the tragic killings at Marikana in August 2012.
Representatives of labour, mining companies and government, such as the Departments of Mineral Resources, Labour and Trade and Industry, compiled an agreement in which the importance of the mining industry was acknowledged.
In addition, business and government were tasked with improving the socioeconomic conditions of mineworkers and surrounding communities, and establishing labour stability.
During question time Raphela was asked it he could truly say that there is peace and stability in the mining industry, specifically between rival mining unions NUM (National Union of Mineworkers) and AMCU (Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union).
“There is an improvement,” Raphela said. “If we were to remove the framework agreement . it would be different.
“We are all cognisant of the fact that we come from a painful past. We have challenges, but it’s different. I’d say it (the agreement) is making an impact. We are confident it will continue to assist to stabilise the industry further.”
The ‘job bloodbath’ in the sector is the new challenge, though. He said the Mining Sector Leadership Retreat, where business, labour and government came together to address job losses, did a lot to mitigate retrenchments in the sector.
“I must emphasise we had the support of all stakeholders who participated and the implementation of this plan is under way as we speak.”
According to Raphela, the DMR is weighing in on the planned retrenchments at a level “beyond what the law requires”.
“Mining companies have agreed to delay retrenchments and they acknowledge that certain consultations need to take place. They have also accelerated the implementation of rehabilitation activities to create alternative job opportunities to either sustain existing jobs or create new ones.”
Raphela also told the committee that there has been significant progress in housing provision in 2014-’15 financial year. In Marikana over 500 houses are being built on land donated by Lonmin.
“It’s called Marikana Extension 2. It’s not words only. Things are being done and you can physically see what’s going on,” Raphela said.
