Due to historical operational underperformance, Sibanye, after consulting the relevant stakeholders, mounted its first rescue attempt in late 2014. This included specific measures to return the operation to profitability and thereby minimise job losses.
Despite intense monitoring and interventions by a joint management and labour committee over the last 17 months since the previous Section 189 consultation was concluded, the Cooke 4 operations have continued to fall short of production targets and losses have continued to accumulate.
In view of these sustained losses and considering the extensive efforts to improve productivity and reduce the operation’s cost structures, Sibanye has given notice in terms of Section 189 of a 60-day period of consultation with trade unions and affected employees, facilitated by the CCMA. During this period all options and alternatives to closure will be considered, a statement from the mining house says.
Sibanye acquired the Cooke underground and surface assets near Westonaria in Gauteng from Gold One Limited in May 2014. The primary reason for the acquisition was the significant uranium and gold mineral resources and reserves contained in the Cooke surface tailings facilities, which form a critical component of Sibanye’s West Rand Tailings Retreatment Project (WRTRP). Along with these surface resources, Sibanye acquired four operating underground mines and two processing plants, which included the Cooke 4 assets.
“It is unfortunate that, despite the joint efforts of stakeholders, the Cooke 4 operations have been unable to meet required production and cost targets and has continued to operate at a loss.”
“Ongoing financial losses threaten the viability of the rest of the Cooke operations and we have regrettably had to give notice to affected stakeholders and begin the consultation process. We remain positive about the future of the Cooke 1, 2 and 3 mines and the outlook for the WRTRP project is extremely promising,” says Wayne Robinson, CEO of Sibanye’s gold division.
