While Pamodzi’s liquidators could potentially prevent the controversial Aurora Empowerment Systems from causing further damage at the Orkney and Grootvlei mines, the result of Aurora’s heritage is still having a ripple effect, trade union Solidarity said on Wednesday.
Gold mining company Goliath Gold said it had to shut down its Nigel one shaft temporarily for safety reasons after water from the neighbouring Grootvlei mine had flooded its shafts.
According to Gideon du Plessis, deputy general secretary of Solidarity, the trade union had already warned the portfolio committee on mineral resources in April about this danger, “but it clearly fell on deaf ears”.
“Although Aurora has now been removed as demolishers, the result of their actions is now busy causing widespread damage. Despite the political ties of Aurora’s directors, action now needs to be taken urgently against them, in the interest of the country,” Du Plessis said.
Solidarity said it would continue its fight to obtain the overdue compensation for thousands of former Aurora employees. “In May 2011, Solidarity submitted a liquidation application of R3.1-million against Aurora, but Aurora indicated at the last moment that they would contend the application,” Du Plessis said.
“Aurora now has until June 20 to submit their opposing documents at the high court in Pretoria, after which Solidarity has two weeks to react. However, if Aurora fails to submit their court documents in time, the case will be heard unopposed on July 7 in the high court,” Du Plessis concluded. — I-Net Bridge