ANA reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Wednesday that it was disappointed with the decision of Sibanye Platinum to lodge a R26 million claim against the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) over ‘Section 54’ work stoppages.  

The claim comes after the DMR applied a number of safety stoppages at Kroondal Platinum Mines in Rustenburg last year following a fatal accident in September.  Sibanye Platinum argues that the DMR operated outside the scope of its authority by shutting down the mine.  In a statement, the NUM strongly condemned the behaviour of Sibanye Platinum.  The union said it was of the firm view that Section 54 of the Mine Health and Safety Act was brought to life exactly for the reason that it had contributed to saving lives in the mining industry.  The NUM said it unapologetically supported Section 54 regulation.

• Read this report in full at Business Report
• Read the NUM’s press statement in full at NUM online

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