JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The Chamber of Mines (CoM) has concluded a wage agreement with the representative unions at JSE-listed Village Main Reef’s gold mining operations.
The two-year agreement allowed for increases of R1 000 and R800 for Category 4 to 8 underground and surface employees respectively, and increases of 5.5% to 6.5% for miners, artisans and officials.
“Village Main Reef’s approach is focused on increases to basic wages because the company’s Tau Lekoa mine has a short life span. We are pleased that the parties have been able to engage and conclude an agreement with no disruption to the business.
“The agreement was reached within a flexible negotiating structure which has evolved over a number of years to allow for companies with vastly different economic and operating circumstances to be accommodated,” CoM negotiator Dr Elize Strydom said.
Wage negotiations between unions and AngloGold Ashanti, Evander Gold Mines, Harmony Gold and Sibanye Gold were continuing. Bilateral meetings between the companies and unions had been concluded and a further collective meeting would be held later this week.