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Sibanye-Stillwater has lifted a lockout at its gold operations in Johannesburg and the Free State after the signing of a three-year wage deal which has brought a protracted but peaceful strike to an end.
The operational start-up of the mines will now be conducted in phased manner over two to three months to ensure the safe resumption of production.
The mining group on Monday said the deal has been signed over the weekend, and as a result, the lockout has been lifted for members of trade unions the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) and the National Union of Mine Workers (NUM).
"We look forward to restarting our South African gold operations for the benefit of all stakeholders," said Sibanye CEO Neal Froneman. "We are pleased to have achieved an agreement which is in line with inflation and which will contribute significantly to the sustainability of our gold operations."
The wage deal results in an average 6.3% increase over a three-year period and is in line with management’s attempts to achieve an inflation-related increase, the company said.
Against a wage demand of R1 000 increase per year, the final wage deal will see category 4- 8 employees receive an increase of R1 000 in year one; R900 in year two; and R750 in year three. Miners, artisans and officials will receive an average increase of 5% in years one and three, and 5.5% in year two.
Employees will also receive a once-off hardship allowance of R3 000 consisting of a guaranteed R1 200 cash payment with the balance of up to R1 800 allocated to the reduction of employee debt or loans owing to the company, which includes medical aid contributions and risk benefits which were covered during the lockout.
The final agreement, effective 1 July, will also be extended to all members of UASA and Solidarity.
Wage talks at Sibanye's platinum mines near Rustenburg kicked off earlier in this month.
Anglo American Platinum meanwhile has already secured a five-year wage deal with unions which will ensure the company's lowest paid employees receive a basic salary increase of R1 150 in year one, increasing to R1 500 by year five.
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