An overwhelming majority of UASA members in the gold mining sector mandated the union to accept the Chamber of Mines' final wage-increase offer, of 6,5% for Cat-4 to Cat-5 workers and 6% upwards plus a percentage gain-share in either gold price or profit which will be negotiated at a later stage.

UASA has informed the chamber that the acceptance of the offer is informed by

Pending retrenchment processes in the industry ;

The real threat of violence in the event of strike action;

To effect as far as possible some stability in the present atmosphere of rumours, threats of lockouts and intimidation from various sources;

UASA wanting to own up as a responsible stakeholder

UASA congratulates its members for their mature approach to this less than satisfactory offer and assures them that the union reserves the right to seek a new mandate, depending on the circumstances in such an eventuality.

Statement issued by UASA spokesperson André Venter, September 3 2013

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