JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Government, business and labour on Friday reported more progress towards sustainable South African mining when they met in Pretoria to fulfil the requirements of the framework agreement struck in July.

The Framework Agreement for a Sustainable Mining Industry is being led by the Deputy President of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe, who commands huge respect in industry circles.

Both the Chamber of Mines and the South African Mining Development Association – which represent business – reported that they had initiated processes to improve the migrant-labour system so that mineworkers could spend more time with their families.

Deputy Presidential spokesperson Thabo Masebe said both government and business had committed money and land for human settlement infrastructure in the Rustenburg platinum belt and the chamber reported continuing transformation of old-style hostels into decent living accommodation.

Efforts were also continuing in financial literacy provision, education facilitation and migrant-labour reform in line with commitments made four months ago when parties agreed short-, medium- and long-term measures to put mining on a sustainable footing.

A medium-term to long-term review of migrant labour was under way and the chamber had established relations with further education and training colleges for mineworker training.

Cosatu, Fedusa and Nactu represented trade union federations and the National Union of Mineworkers, Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, Uasa and Solidarity represented labour unions.

The newly formed mine crime-combating forum was reportedly working with the South African Police Service to maintain law and order and the government had incorporated the Brits, Mankwe and Rustenburg areas into the Bafokeng Magisterial District to facilitate the acceleration of violence-related court cases.

The Council for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration had conducted a series of training sessions to educate union members on best labour practice and the chamber had established a task team to conduct financial literacy sessions on employee indebtedness.

All parties reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together to stabilise the mining sector and set it on a sustainable footing.