NUM pours more cold water over Chamber of Mines ‘s transformation claims

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) throws its weight behind the Minister of Mineral Resources ‘s argument in the National Assembly yesterday that the Chamber of Mines ‘s transformation statistics are ill-informed. The NUM contends that the Chamber ‘s intention may be filled with malice and a deliberate intention to confuse South Africans on the poor rate of transformation in the mining industry.

The South African mining industry is not far off from where it was during apartheid, and therefore to suggest that transformation has surpassed the 26% black ownership target is not only untrue but both ridiculous and fraudulent. Transformation in the South African mining industry remains lower than the 9% black ownership projected by the Department of Mineral Resources in 2008.

The NUM fully understands the frustrations faced by the Minister on the incorrect figures provided by the Chamber of Mines on transformation in the mining industry and calls for drastic action against companies unwilling to transform themselves. Errant companies must face the consequences which should include but not limited to their licences being revoked.

Ownership and management remains lily-white whilst the poor African workers continue to be sidelined with many Employee Share Ownership Programmes (ESOPS) drafted in such a manner as to ensure that they are indebted forever.

Statement issued by Lesiba Seshoka, NUM national spokesman, November 24 2011

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