MEDIA STATEMENT: MINERAL RESOURCES MINISTER SETS UP TECHNICAL TEAM TO RESOLVE PLATINUM STRIKE

Mineral Resources Minister Advocate Ngoako Ramatlhodi has announced the establishment of an intergovernmental technical team to work with labour and business to resolve the strike in the North-West platinum belt.

The technical team comprises officials from the Departments of Mineral Resources, Labour and National Treasury, and will meet at an undisclosed location tomorrow (Thursday 29th May 2014), supported by representatives from the platinum companies, as well as labour union AMCU (the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union).

This follows the Minister's meeting with business today (represented by CEOs of Lonmin, Implats and Amplats as well as the Chamber of Mines), and his meetings with labour unions on Tuesday 27th May.

"The mandate of the technical team is to broaden the approach and explore all possibilities for a resolution to the problem. They will interrogate all the information (including the figures) provided by both parties, and report back by the end of the day on what is possible," Minister Ramatlhodi said.

"All parties are hurting. The workers are hurting. We have no option but to find an amicable solution," the Minister continued.

The Minister reiterated Government's commitment to the process, which is supportive of other processes underway, including the Labour Court mediation.

Statement issued by Advocate Mahlodi Muofhe, Department of Mineral Resources, May 28 2014

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