THE Association of Mineworkers & Construction Union (AMCU) was opposed to an early resumption of mining saying that concern about the economic status of mining firms had to be balanced against the health and safety of workers.
AMCU is also critical of the Department of Minerals & Energy (DMRE). Union president, Joseph Mathunjwa was quoted in an article by BusinessLive as saying that the department had “deviated” from the COVID-19 national lockdown ordered by government.
The DMRE was also “… lacking consultation with trade unions and other stakeholders,” Mathunjwa was quoted to have said. “We are equally concerned about the job security of workers and the state of the South African economy at large.
“However, these concerns must never be addressed at the expense of the health and safety of workers,” Mathunjwa said.
AMCU’s comments come a day before mines and energy minister, Gwede Mantashe, is to meet with the industry advocacy body, the Minerals Council. The council has said that an extended lockdown of mines could spell disaster for the sector, although it also said the DMRE had treated the sector with a sympathetic ear regarding the lockdown.
Some open cast and surface mines are operating whilst mineral processing where the technological process is not easily interrupted has also continued. The government is anxious the country continue to generate export earnings provided the mining and freight of minerals is highly mechanised.
The Minerals Council estimated that production for April would fall by 20% and for 4.5% for the full year assuming the lockdown was not extended, said BusinessLive. This did not include the costs of putting mines into care and maintenance and the R7bn wage bill for the 21 days, it said.
“It is becoming clear that the DMRE is under severe pressure from the Minerals Council to start with a premature ramp-up of operations under the guise of the essential services exemption,” said Mathunjwa.
