JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Operations at Northam Platinum’s Booysendal mine, in Steelpoort, have returned to normal, after Mineral Resources Minister Advocate Ngoako Ramatlhodi, who visited the area on Wednesday, intervened to resolve protests by community members.
The mine’s operations were halted as the protests prevented employees from getting to work, impacting the company’s ability to operate.
Unemployment was one of the primary concerns raised by the community.
Following a two-day meeting with stakeholders, including the community forum representatives, provincial and local government, local mining companies, officials from the Department of Mineral Resources and local authorities, in Sekhukhune, Ramatlhodi stated that over 200 jobs would be created for members of the local community.
“We are pleased that we have reached an amicable solution. It should not have to take a strike or protests for stakeholders to resolve issues. The task team that has been established here will deal with the issue of unemployment, social and labour plans and procurement, and come up with immediate to long-term action plans,” the Minister said.
Besides the promise of creating 200 jobs, the parties also agreed that recruitment would be done from within local communities, while skills development and training of locals would also be implemented.