Anglo American Platinum responds to media reports
Johannesburg, 29 May 2014. Anglo American Platinum Limited (Amplats) notes that AMCU negotiator, Mr Brian Ashley has informed the Cape Town Press Club that the platinum mining companies ‘might be guilty of tax and wage evasion' (see M&G Online report).
Amplats refutes these allegations in the strongest possible terms and views the inflammatory and unsubstantiated allegations in a very serious light. We do not tolerate fraud and corruption and comply with all legislative and regulatory requirements governing our businesses. All taxation activities are subject to careful assessment by the company's external auditors as well as the country's tax authorities.
A meeting of the Inter-Governmental Technical Task Team, the producers and AMCU, set up by the Minister of Mineral Resources, is currently underway. The company has heeded the Minister's call for all parties to show leadership during this process. The company asks that AMCU does the same and refrains from making unsubstantiated and inflammatory comments at this sensitive time.
We reserve the right to take appropriate legal measures if these malicious and unsubstantiated accusations by AMCU and their advisors continue.
Statement issued by Mpumi Sithole, Anglo American Platinum Limited, May 29 2014
Implats responds to AMCU allegations
Johannesburg, 29 May 2014. Impala Platinum Holdings Limited (Implats) notes that AMCU negotiator, Mr Brian Ashley has informed the Cape Town Press Club that the platinum mining companies have been involved in tax evasion activities.
Implats refutes these allegations in the strongest possible terms and views the inflammatory and unsubstantiated allegation of criminal behaviour in a very serious light. We have a zero-tolerance stance on fraud and corruption and comply with all legislative and regulatory requirements governing our businesses. All taxation activities are subject to careful assessment by the company's external auditors as well as the country's tax authorities and our audited financial statements and accounts are open for interrogation and scrutiny. Implats reserves its rights in this matter.
A meeting of the Inter-Governmental Technical Task Team, the producers and AMCU, set up by the Minister of Mineral Resources, is currently underway. The producers have heeded the Minister's call for all parties to show leadership and to seek to reach an agreement during this process. So much is at stake for our companies, our employees, our communities and our country. We respectfully request that AMCU observes the same.
Statement issued by Johan Theron Impala Platinum Holdings Limited, May 29 2014
UPDATE:
Lonmin Dismisses Allegations
Lonmin Plc today dismissed allegations made by AMCU negotiator, Mr Brian Ashley, and subsequently repeated by the Alternative Information and Development Centre, as without substance and completely false.
As a public company, Lonmin's financial statements are subject to regular and thorough auditing processes by an independent auditor, and are submitted and carefully assessed by the South African tax authorities. The Company's financial statements and accounts are readily available at www.lonmin.com.
Statement issued by Lonmin, May 30 2014
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