RE: RNS21 Sep 2018 17:18
Bushveld Minerals Limited (AIM: BMN), the AIM listed, integrated primary vanadium producer, with ownership of high grade vanadium assets, announces that it has reached agreement with the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union ("AMCU") in respect of the matters that led to the unprotected industrial action. Accordingly, the Company is pleased to announce that the unprotected industrial action has been called off and workers have started returning to work.
The Company and AMCU have agreed that:
· The settlement agreement, signed between Bushveld Vametco Alloys ("Vametco") and AMCU in May 2018 in respect of payments in lieu of Employee Share Options Scheme ("ESOPS") for the period 2013 and December 2017, is valid and recognised.
· Vametco will pay employees an amount in lieu of ESOPS for the year 2018 on the same basis as the ESOPS payment made as part of the May 2018 settlement agreement. The payments (the "2018 ESOPS payment") will be structured as a two-part payment:
o A payment of R15,000 (post-tax) shall be paid to each employee in respect of the period 01 January to 30 June 2018. This amount shall be paid on 28 September 2018.
o A second payment in respect of the period 01 July 2018 to 31 December 2018 shall be payable after the release of the financial results of Bushveld Vametco Alloys Limited for the FY 2018 which is expected to be paid by 31 March 2019.
The 2018 ESOPS payments will be made only to permanent employees and fixed term employees who have been in the employment of Vametco since 01 January 2018 and continue to be in the employment of the Company at the time of ESOPS payments.
The Company and AMCU have further committed to accelerate discussions for establishing a framework for a new ESOPS structure to be implemented from 1 January 2019 as well as processes to deal with all remaining labour issues going forward, including clear mechanisms of escalating disputes to regional and national union leadership as well as to the Company's Management team.
The Company will continue to update the market as appropriate in this regard.
Fortune Mojapelo, CEO of Bushveld Minerals Limited, commented:
"We are delighted that we have been able to reach an agreement that results in the mining operations resuming. This is a positive outcome for all parties, ensuring that the resource continues to bear fruit while the Company strives towards building a sound partnership with all employees.
"We are particularly pleased that the agreement upholds all previous engagements and agreements entered into by the Company and workers including the May 2018 settlement agreement. In addition, the agreement affirms the important role of the workers as key stakeholders for the Company, and we are pleased they will share in the success of Bushveld Minerals.
"Finally, the settlement agreement includes provisions designed to discourage any future participation in unprotected industrial actions by the