More than 3 000 Stilfontein families will begin to receive an income again from Friday, the trade union Solidarity said on Thursday afternoon.
This follows a Pretoria High Court ruling enabling the takeover of Buffelsfontein and Hartebeesfontein mines by Simmer and Jack (Simmers), according to Simmers and Solidarity.
”High-court approval means the deal is done and we will resume underground operations tomorrow [Friday],” said Simmers chief executive Gordon Miller.
The court rejected a claim for R74-million by the owners of the land on which a mine shaft is situated at Stilfontein in North West, enabling the takeover from the provisional liquidators of DRDGold’s North West operations, according to statements.
Tabani Habib, of Pyramid Investments, lodged the application to oppose Simmers’ takeover bid and demand a second vote by creditors, which was blocking the green light for Simmers.
Habib owns the land on which Buffelsfontein’s number-four shaft is situated.
”We now have all the ingredients to make this a commercial success — the funding, the expertise and, crucially, support from the local community,” said Miller.
In terms of the arrangement with the liquidators that was approved by the court, Simmers will acquire Buffels for R45-million, read a Simmers statement.
”The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has agreed that Simmers can take over Buffels’ responsibility for its portion of water-pumping costs going forward.”
Simmers said past liabilities relating to de-watering issues will continue to rest with DRDGold.
”First on the agenda for Simmer & Jack Buffelsfontein [as the new asset will be known] will be training.”
Meanwhile, Solidarity welcomed the ruling, saying its members could at last face the world again, return to work and regain their economic independence.
”It is a pity that these people had to suffer hardship for seven months due to DRDGold’s selfish actions and weak administrative processes,” said Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans.
”It will take months, if not years, before the people are properly back on their feet, but at least more than 3 000 Stilfontein families will begin to earn an income again from tomorrow.”
Former DRDGold employees at the town have now been unemployed since March after the mining group without warning liquidated its Stilfontein and Buffelsfontein holdings.
In doing so, rather than shutting the mines down, they escaped their liability under labour law to pay staff retrenchment packages.
The trade union said it will deliberate with the Stilfontein community on the need for continued emergency aid.
During the past few months, the trade union, in conjunction with the community, has operated a feeding scheme and undertaken other charitable projects in Stilfontein. — Sapa