Miningmx reports that Gold Fields announced on Friday that it had agreed a three-year wage pact with employee unions at its South Deep mine west of Johannesburg.
The gold producer will pay an average 6.5% increase in wages over the period across all its employment brackets, including an 8% improvement in the first year for its so-called ‘category 4 to 8’ employees. That category of employee, which includes entry-level miners, will receive subsequent 8% increases, or CPI-aligned lifts, whichever is the greatest, for years two and three of the agreement. As part of the agreement, the categories of employee known as ‘miners, artisans and officials’ will receive a wage increase of 6% in the first year, increasing by the same amount – or CPI – for the remaining two years. The wage agreement was signed with the National Union of Mineworkers and Uasa and runs from 1 March this year to 28 February in 2024. CPI-related increases will also be applied to housing allowances, although these wowilluld be phased out over three years as required by the government, and as Gold Fields ramps up its own housing plan. A range of non-wage-related issues were also agreed to, including an alignment of leave and shift configurations. The NUM gave a glowing review of the settlement, saying the discussions had been conducted in a “constructive and harmonious spirit”. The wage agreement is an early feather in the cap for Chris Griffith, new CEO of Gold Fields from April.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by David McKay at Miningmx
- Read too, Gold Fields’ South Deep, trade unions ink three-year wage deal, at Mining Weekly
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