26 September 2007
Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana will visit Richards Bay Mining (RBM),
on Thursday ( 27 September) to assess progress made on various skills related
issues agreed to between the Department of Labour (DoL) and the company last
year. RBM which deals in mining of sand for manufacturing by-products which are
in turn exported, will brief the Minister on their expansion plans which
include the possible relocation of some of the residents from the mining sand
dunes to other sites where arable land with agricultural potential has been
identified.
Labour Spokesperson Zolisa Sigabi said, "The company enlisted the DoL
assistance to train communities that would be relocated. But this came with
challenges with communities demanding that locals be employed in the company,
that more investment be made in community social investment initiatives, and
that they should share ownership of the RBM.
"These demands were also accompanied by violent protests which saw the
burning down of mining trucks worth 5-million rand."
Sigabi added, "The Minister will also get an update on progress made in
regards to the training of locals on crucial skills required for the expansion
of the mine which include fitting, engineering, and electricity."
Details are as follows:
Venue: Richards Bay Mining
Time: 10h00
Enquiries:
Gugu Mthiyane
Tel: 035 901 3111
Cell: 082 329 3166
Contact:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 906 3878
Issued by: Department of Labour
26 September 2007
