[miningmx.com] – THE South African mining sector would find a way to
solve the labour crisis that has resulted in illegal strike action at the country’s
platinum and gold mines, said Mark Cutifani, CEO of AngloGold Ashanti.
In an interview with Bloomberg News at the Denver Gold Forum, Cutifani said that a
solution was months away, even though that was currently difficult to see.
“We will find a solution in the next month or two,’ he said. “We’ll come together and
redefine a pathway that seeks to answer the right issues.’ Cutifani also serves as vice
president of South Africa’s Chamber of Mines.
Cutifani’s comments come at a time when Impala Platinum, Lonmin and Gold Fields
are facing labour unrest amid wage demands and on-mine disruptions, partly
fomented by former ANC Youth League president Julius Malema.
Malema yesterday called for a nationwide strike by South Africa’s miners until they
achieved the wages they demanded.
Said Cutifani: “We’ve all got to work harder on the social issues; connecting and
communicating better with the workforce is important.’
“The union has to also have a look in the mirror and think about its processes to
improve the way it’s connecting,’ he added.
