/ 12 October 2004

NUM, Implats reach settlement

Operations at Impala Platinum (Implats) will return to normal at 9pm on Tuesday after the company and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) agreed to an 8% pay increase, backdated to July 1.

”We lost nine days of production at the mining operations in Rustenburg, but were able to continue producing at reasonable levels at our precious metals refinery in Springs,” said Implats chief executive Keith Rumble in a media statement.

”While we have indicated a cost to the company of R28-million in gross profit per day, this does not take into account the reduced costs during this period, that some production has taken place at the refineries and that lost production may well be made up.

”More informed estimates will be made available to shareholders in due course.”

As part of the settlement, the NUM has agreed to support initiatives to improve productivity through technological advances such as the introduction of drill jigs.

”It reconfirms what we had already agreed to in June,” said NUM spokesperson Archie Palane.

Meanwhile, talks between Anglo Platinum (Amplats) and the NUM deadlocked on Monday night after the union refused to accept the company’s latest revised offer, Amplats spokesperson Mike Mtakathi said on Tuesday.

For more than a week, Amplats and Implats — the world’s largest platinum producers — have faced labour action over pay disputes.

Mtakathi said other unions at Amplats have accepted the latest offer.

”Most employees are back at work, including many NUM members,” he said.

The NUM’s Palane said the union is seeking a meeting with Amplats to establish a way forward. — Sapa