BusinessLive reports that just days after saying the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) was "not at war" with Sibanye Gold and AngloGold Ashanti (AGA), Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane tore into the two companies for "refusing to comply with the mining laws of the country".  

But, AGA was having none of it, pointing to its safety record, while Sibanye declined any comment while a legal process it had initiated against Zwane and three safety officials was under way.  Sibanye is claiming R26.8m in recompense for losses incurred during a safety stoppage at the Kroondal platinum mine, which the company argues was disproportionate to the stipulations of the law.  AGA successfully overturned a safety stoppage at its Kopanang mine in the Labour Court in late 2016, getting a judgment that found the inspectorate had acted out of proportion with the act.  Zwane’s comments included a threat about finding other companies that would obey laws to mine.  

• Read this report by Allan Seccombe in full at BusinessLive
• Read Zwane’s press statemenet in this regard at Polity
• Read remarks put out by AngloGold regarding safety at AGA online

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page