Anglo American update re. Platinum

RNS Number : 0878Q

Anglo American PLC

01 November 2012

 



01 November 2012

Anglo American update re. Anglo American Platinum

Anglo American plc draws attention to an announcement issued by Anglo American Platinum Limited, the text of which is set out below:

Anglo American Platinum update

Anglo American Platinum Limited ("Anglo American Platinum") is providing an update on the ongoing illegal industrial action around its Rustenburg, Union and Amandelbult mining operations. It has been seven weeks since the initial safety suspension and the subsequent illegal industrial action by employees.

Anglo American Platinum announced on 18 October that it had entered into discussions with its recognised unions, NUM, UASA and NUMSA, and the strike committee to explore options to facilitate the return to work of employees currently involved in illegal strike action. The status of the 12 000 dismissed Rustenburg employees formed part of these discussions, which did not include any wage negotiations.

As a result of these discussions, Anglo American Platinum announced on Monday 29 October its offer to facilitate the return to work of the Union and Amandelbult employees and to reinstate all 12 000 dismissed Rustenburg employees. The offer was strictly subject to all striking employees returning to work and doing actual work activities by no later than Tuesday 30 October 2012.

Anglo American Platinum confirms that this offer has not yet been accepted by employees.

Disciplinary hearings for Amandelbult and Union Mine employees engaging in illegal strike action are already underway and the outcome will be announced in due course.

The company currently does not have sufficient staff for safe operations in the affected areas and continues to carry out essential services only.

Anglo American Platinum confirms that it is losing an average of 3, 694 ounces of platinum per day and to date 141,640 ounces of platinum have been lost.

Anglo American Platinum also notes the reports of 123 arrests made by SAPS since the illegal strike action and following the violence in the Rustenburg area and can confirm that 36 of those arrested are Anglo American Platinum employees.

The CEO of Anglo American Platinum, Chris Griffith said' "We have been patiently appealing to our workers to get back to work so that the situation in Rustenburg and the north of Pilanesburg can go back to normal. We are disappointed that the offer, which was made to employees to alleviate some of the hardship as a result of the no-work no-pay principle, has not yet been accepted. We are appealing for calm in Rustenburg communities and continue to work with SAPS to help restore law and order to the area.

Further updates will be provided as appropriate.

 

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