Officials at Anglo American Platinum Ltd. have confirmed their Rustenburg, Union and Amandelbult mining operations have resumed after employees returned to work as talks with union officials continue. Company officials said the resumption followed an illegal work stoppage—leading to a loss of 3,886 platinum oz—after a February incident at Siphumelele in Rustenburg in which 15 employees sustained injuries.
Anglo American officials say they are engaged in discussions with South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources, its Chamber of Mines and organized labor representatives to ensure a safety for its employees across the platinum industry. Anglo American Platinum and Department of Mineral Resources officials, meanwhile, have also extended bilateral talks with organized labor (NUM, AMCU, NUMSA and UASA) for a further 30 days.
“We have made progress and have had constructive discussions with our stakeholders.” However, “we will continue to engage constructively with all our stakeholders and will communicate progress updates as and when appropriate,” said Anglo American Platinum CEO Chris Griffith.
In related news, South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeals has dismissed prospecting appeals by the Imperial Crown Trading 289 Ltd. and the Department of Mineral Resources for a conversion of the Sishen Iron Ore Company Ltd.’s 2008 mining right order. The court further ruled that ArcelorMittal South Africa Ltd. retained rights to lodge its old order right (at a 21.4% share value); Sishen now has exclusive rights to access iron ore at the Sishen mine.
The U.K.-based Anglo American is one of the world’s largest mining companies and is listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges with a portfolio of mining businesses spanning bulk commodities with projects and exploration activities in sub-Saharan Africa, South America, Australia, North America, Asia and Europe.
