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Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources Challenges and opportunities facing the mining industry over the next 20 years Gideon du Plessis – 20 August 2012. Challenges facing the mining industry. People and Community Issues.
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Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources Challenges and opportunities facing the mining industry over the next 20 years Gideon du Plessis – 20 August 2012
People and Community Issues • Increase in worker and community frustration vs unlawful conduct - Possible solutions: • Compliance with Social and Labour Plans (SLP) • Effective local government infrastructure development programmes • Governmental mining area housing projects • Effective Mining Crime Combatting Forum • Improve technical training and FET colleges • More favourable migrant labour system • Financial literacy programmes & worker protection against “loan sharks”
Battle of Ideas • High level of intolerance for opposing ideas: • Tension between unions • Tension between government and business • Tension between unions and employers • Tension between race groups • Self-interest supersedes workers’ interests • Globalisation – Lack of understanding of SA • Induction of foreign owners to SA realities • Unsubstantial talks – no real output • Robust stakeholder closed sessions required
Industrial Relations • Undemocratic majoritarian principle → LRA amendments • Unrealistic and unfair expectations created by unions • Premeditated strikes → artificial negotiations until strike • Failure of dispute resolution and bargaining structures • Labour unrest and labour turmoil impact on employment: • One example: Loss of 6 000 real jobs at Lonmin (K4 shaft) • Demise of local business (incl. street vendors) • Decline in use of contractors and the outsourcing of services • Employee reduction through natural attrition and automation • SOLUTION: Social pact → improved social wage and increases vsincrease in productivity and elimination of unprotected strikes • Social pact also alternative for automation (“quid pro quo”)
Costs and Infrastructure • Influence of unreliable electricity supply and cost of electricity: • Negative impact on production ↔ knock-on effect on production bonuses, overtime pay, wage increases and threatens job security • Rail (Transnet) infrastructure shortcomings • Concerns about impact of possible introduction of carbon emission tax • Costs passed on to employers, paid for by employees
Investor Confidence • Image of SA mining industry needs to improve • Aurora debacle and lack of accountability for their unlawful actions (Blyvooruitzicht repeat) • Local companies investing in their operations outside SA • Disinformation on and/or a lack of understanding of SA mining policies and legislation
Relations and Forums • Amcu non-involvement from established mining forums • Migdett has lost its effectiveness • Mining Sector Stakeholder Consultative Forum to continue to focus on the implementation of Framework Agreement principles • Effective “Future Forums” to be implemented at all workplaces • Health and Safety Forums – neutral forums dealing with matters of mutual interest and ideal for relationship-building among stakeholders
Health and Safety • Concern about compliance at marginal mines, and by smaller and foreign employers • Best practice - Anglo American Tripartite Forum • Concern about future provision and access to clean water • Labour unrest-related deaths to be reported: • To create awareness and enhance constitutional right to “freedom of association”, “right to work”, and “right to life”
Mine Closures • Closure of mined-out and marginal mines • Forced liquidation and “convenient” liquidations to avoid mine closure responsibilities • Creation of ghost towns → urbanisation • SLP – minimise negative impact on employees • Increase in illegal mining activities • Safety and security risk • Illegal commodity trading and impact on economy
Mechanisation / Automation • Mechanisation can extend the life of a mine in the following instances: • Working at unsafe depths • Mine water risks • Seismic activities • Mechanisation • Favourable employment opportunity for women and disabled people in mining
SA Advantages • SA mining image can only improve • Reality starting to set in • Better PR required from all stakeholders • SA world leader when it comes to mineral reserves • It possesses world-class skills and technology • Abundant availability of skilled and unskilled labour
Training and Skills Development • Ageing workforce – loss of skills • True empowerment through skills development • Higher BEE/EE points for skills development • EE model to also credit mentorship initiatives • Portable skills training as safety net for future redundancy • Employee relations and cultural diversity training for mine management
Conclusion Importance of a mining focus: Mining industry is a microcosm of the SA society, and if we find solutions to the mining industry challenges, then we have the blueprint to manage South Africa’s challenges.