Miningmx reports that Sibanye-Stillwater has upped its offer to employees at its SA gold operations for a third time in an effort to end a stand-off with a coalition of four unions.

The coalition comprises the Association of Mineworkers & Construction Union (AMCU), with whom Sibanye-Stillwater clashed over wages in 2018 ahead of a five month strike, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), Solidarity and UASA. .The new offer as it relates to category 4 to 8 employees is for a R570 increase in the first year of the three-year wage proposal. It increases R640 more and R670 more in the second and third years. This compares to its last offer of R480 to R570 in years one and two and a R600 increase in year three. Miners, artisans and officials would receive an increase of 4.5% in year one, 4.9% in year two and 4.9% in year three. The upshot of the improved offer is that Sibanye-Stillwater will increase its gold operations wage bill by R1.4bn from July 2023, excluding concessions made in respect of non-wage demands. Upon reaching an agreement, the increase will be backdated to July. Should the offer be accepted by the end of November, the backdated payment would be made before the Christmas break. A follow up meeting for 24 November has been requested by the coalition. The mines employ about 31,000 people.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by David McKay at Miningmx
• Read too, Sibanye tables conditional settlement offer for South African gold operations employees, at Mining Weekly

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