North West Premier Thandi Modise meets with Amplats on its Platinum Review Proposals

17 Jan 2013

North West Premier Thandi Modise is to lead a delegation from the provincial government that is to engage Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) Management on the outcome of its business review that proposes to close four shafts and sell its union mine that is expected to result in the loss of 14 000 jobs in mining sector. The meeting is to be held at the Invest North West Offices in Rustenburg this afternoon.

Premier Modise will use the opportunity to share the concern of the provincial government regarding the consultation processes, impact of job losses on employees and their dependants, Rustenburg as mining area, labour sending areas, and interrogate how these could be mitigated should the proposal is proceeded with.

According to announcement made by Cynthia Carroll, Chief Executive of Anglo American and Chairman of Anglo American Platinum on Tuesday, her company proposes to put four unsustainable, high-cost shafts, namely Khuseleka 1 and 2 and Khomanani 1 and 2 on long-term care and maintenance.

The company proposes to create at least 14,000 new jobs through housing, infrastructure and small business development to balance the number of jobs that may be affected by the restructuring.

The North West Province known as the Platinum Province is responsible for 94% of South Africa's platinum. The province might be the worst hit by Amplats proposal as 13 000 of the jobs that might be affected jobs are in the Rustenburg area.

Statement issued by Lesiba Moses Kgwele, North West Provincial Government, January 17 2013

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