SA Mining9 Apr 2020 15:43
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BUSINESS MAVERICK EXCLUSIVE
SA mining industry, government and unions ‘agree to sector reboot from 16 April’
By Ed Stoddard• 8 April 2020
Mantashe is taking a proactive stance on the rebooting of the mining industry. Government is clearly concerned about the unfolding impact on South Africa’s already brittle economy, which has also just suffered twin credit rating downgrades on top of the lockdown. (Photo: Unsplash / Shane Mclendon) Less
Business Maverick understands that the Minerals Council SA, some unions and the government have agreed in principle that 60% to 70% of the mine labour force will go back to work on 16/17 April, with protocols in place to contain the spread of Covid-19. It remains unclear if the lockdown will be extended beyond then, but the mining industry is planning to reboot as quickly as possible.
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Mineral and Energy Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe met some unions and the mining industry on Wednesday 8 April to plot a way to keep the crucial sector humming. This follows Tuesday’s meetings when the minister discussed what options were available in the event the lockdown is extended.
A well-placed source, who asked not to be identified, but with direct knowledge of what was discussed, told Business Maverick:
“Minerals Council and the department and unions have agreed that mine workers must go back on the 16th and 17th of April.
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“When they come back to work parties have agreed that intensive screening must be done and those who are found to be infected must be isolated and those who are sick must be sent to hospital. The industry has agreed to make its hospitals available and 60% to 70% of the workforce is expected to go back to work,” said the source.
Miners who have not been working will be paid for the 21 days of lockdown and companies that cannot afford to do so will approach the Department of Labour for UIF benefits.
Mantashe tweeted on Wednesday that he was meeting some unions and the Minerals Council confirmed it had been in meetings with the minister regarding the mining industry’s response to Covid-19. But neither has released a statement about the outcome of the meetings.
It must be said that Mantashe is taking a proactive stance on the issue and government is clearly extremely concerned about the unfolding impact on South Africa’s already brittle economy, which has also just suffered twin credit rating downgrades on top of the lockdown. Eyebrows may be raised, but the fact of the matter is that government and all stakeholders need to find a way to restart parts of the economy in a safe way that does not hasten the spread of the virus.
This remains uncharted territory and it is not clear if the National Command Council in charge of the government’s response to the pandemic will give the green light. A lot will probably depend on how
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