Mining Forum committed to stabilising mining sector

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Deputy President Motlanthe on Thursday, 27 March 2014, led a quarterly meeting of the mining sector stakeholders' consultative forum representatives in Pretoria.

The aim of the meeting was to assess progress in the implementation of the Framework Agreement for a Sustainable Mining Industry. The framework agreement, signed by organised labour, business and government in July 2013, identifies measures required to stabilise South Africa's mining sector and place it on a sustainable footing.

The stakeholders on Thursday agreed that good progress has been made, amid some challenges that still need to be addressed.

Representing the Chamber of Mines of South Africa, Mike Teke said: "I think we are encouraged to be part of this process, through this platform our deliberations cover areas such as housing and labour relations. In all these areas we are proud to say we are making progress."

Eric Gcilitshana from the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said: "We must indicate that this process is bearing fruit and we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel."

UASA, a trade union affiliated to the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) delegate Alwyn van Heerden said they would like all stakeholders to join the forum so they can work together to find a lasting solution to the challenges facing the mining sector.

At the meeting, parties agreed to continue supporting the growth and stability of the sector and to take the following steps:

• Actively engage both local and foreign investors to ensure that the country remains an attractive investment destination;
  
• Ensure certainty in the legislative and regulatory programmes;
  
• Inform employees upon receiving emolument garnishee orders;
  
• Prevention of unscrupulous micro-lenders and reviewing the regulations around salary deductions on garnishee orders;
  
• Assessment of economic and social conditions in surrounding and labour sending areas;
  
• Enforce and implement all elements and commitments of the Mining Charter; and
  
• Ensure integration and implementation of Social and Labour Plans and Integrated Development Plans (IDP) in labour sending areas
• and mining areas.

An acknowledgement was also made to engage extensively with the investment community on progress made to ensure strike activity is done within the ambit of the law.

The meeting also agreed that in order to bring growth and stability to the sector, stakeholders will need to ensure that efforts are made to resolve industrial action, taking into account current economic constraints.

The short-term measures identified in the framework agreement include ensuring the rule of law is upheld, peace and stability and the provision of proper and sustainable human settlement infrastructure in the North-West platinum belt.

The meeting also noted that since the signing of the framework agreement, there has been relative peace and stability in the mines and that both labour and mining companies have been conducting their affairs within the ambit of the law.

Mine Crime Combating Forum

Speaking at the briefing, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu said significant progress had been made in the Mine Crime Combating Forum, which was launched in August last year.

Trade unions and mining companies are cooperating with the South African Police Service in ensuring that there is peace and stability in the mines and surrounding communities.

"The report shows that there is now less violent, intimidation within the mining communities and mining industry," she said.

Government has also taken steps to improve case management and capacity in order to speed up the processing of all cases related to violence in the mining areas.

There is improved cooperation between stakeholders in the mining communities and authorities regarding the provision of evidence for cases of violence, intimidation, murder and malicious damage to property.