Regional reports have indicated the start of an illegal strike at the Sibanye-Stillwater Kroondal platinum mine near Driefontein, North West, South Africa, that has involved more than 450 of its employees – more than 200 underground and another 250 on surface at the K6 shaft.
According to the Daily Maverick, the wildcat strike began 3 June and is reportedly over recent annual payments made to beneficiaries of the Rustenburg and Marikana employee share option schemes (ESOPs), with some saying the funds have not been received.
Sibanye, which had told the striking mine workers they could face dismissal, told the Daily Maverick on 4 June that it was in talks to bring the impasse to a close.
“At this time, the safety of our employees and contractors remains our top priority, and we will undertake all necessary action to ensure their health and safety while underground. We are currently engaging with all relevant stakeholders to end this illegal action,” said CRO Richard Stewart to regional media outlets.
“Sibanye-Stillwater advises that morning-shift employees (including contractors) at Kwezi shaft (Kroondal West) initiated an illegal sit-in underground on the morning of 3 June 2024. This unfortunate turn of events transpired following the annual payments made to beneficiaries of the ESOPs on 1 June [and] the striking Kroondal employees are reportedly aggrieved to not have received ESOP payments, despite Kroondal employees not yet qualifying for any ESOP payments.”
Sibanye added that its Kroondal employees will receive ESOP benefits after it completes its acquisition of AngloAmerican Platinum’s 50% stake in the operation, the report said.
The underground strike involves both National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) workers.
However, Sibanye spokesperson James Wellsted told the Daily Maverick neither union endorsed the wildcat action. Additionally, the NUM said its members were being held underground against their will.Source: 200+ miners at Sibanye Kroondal mine on day 2 of wildcat strike (dailymaverick.co.za)