Mining Weekly reports that Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) has agreed to reserve 50% of its currently available general worker jobs for members of the Sokhulu community.

Briefing the media last Thursday on the efforts led by the provincial government to resolve the impasse between RBM and the Sokhulu community, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala announced that RBM would resume operations on Monday, 12 July. RBM, which is majority-owned by Rio Tinto, suspended operations on 30 June after violent protests. “As part of the provincial government’s concerted efforts to save the multibillion-rand investment by RBM, we met with various stakeholders to deal with security concerns and challenges that have led to the company’s decision to halt operations and declare force majeure,” Zikalala said. While the provincial government recognised the concerns raised by the host communities, it emphasised that such concerns should be raised in a nonviolent way. “We are pleased to report to the public that both RBM and the Sokhulu community have found common ground on a number of issues, while some have been referred for further engagement," Zikalala indicated. The provincial Department of Community Safety and Liaison, the SA Police Service and the eThekwini municipality will monitor the area and ensure the situation returns to normal.

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