The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) condemns attempts to stall the reopening of the Lily and Barbrook mines in Louisville, near Barberton.

Despite having secured funding to exit business rescue, the owner of the mines, Vantage Goldfields, is facing opposition. Mining entrepreneur and founder of SSC Group, Fred Arendse, has applied to court to liquidate the companies in business rescue. The Business rescue practitioner (BRP), Rob Devenreux, has given notice to oppose the liquidation. Vantage Goldfields has called the application by Mr. Arendse unnecessary and ill-founded and will also be opposing it vigorously.

A team of experts deployed by the international funder is due to arrive in the country any day now to finalise implementation arrangements including meeting with Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, and work with the BRP to mobilise funds and pay creditors.

COSATU has been working closely with Vantage Goldfields and government to get the mines to reopen, because ever since the rockfall at Lily Mine buried Pretty Nkambule, Solomon Nyirenda and Yvonne Mnisi underground, leading to the mine closure, the surrounding community has been left destitute because they depended heavily on the mine for employment and other economic activities. It has been nine years since the container office with the three workers was swallowed by the ground near the mine entrance. Their families haven’t had the comfort of closure as they haven’t been able to bury them.

In reopening the mine, COSATU, government and Vantage Goldfields have been absolutely clear that recovering the bodies of the workers is priority number one, followed closely by the hiring of unemployed mineworkers. In the first phase of the reopening, COSATU in collaboration with government will identify nearby villages around the mine; map out existing economic activities to connect to available jobs with the skills required; assess skills needs and support young people through training programmes.

Any attempt to halt this plan frankly comes off as self-serving and not in the best interests of the wider Louisville community. COSATU and its Affiliate, National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), call on Mr. Fred Arendse to think of the Nkambule, Nyirenda and Mnisi families, and respectfully ensure they receive the closure they are longing for. Why insist on liquidating viable mining businesses that will provide thousands of jobs and uplift the community from poverty. As a businessman, Mr. Arendse is undoubtedly aware that the country’s economy is in the doldrums with an unemployment rate of 41.9%. Surely, this is not the time to be pre-occupied with narrow self-interests but to join hands and rebuild our economy.

COSATU is committed to the reopening of the two mines and ensuring the remains of Nkambule, Nyirenda and Mnisi are recovered and will fight any attempt that disrupts this plan.Issued by COSATU

Zanele Sabela (National Spokesperson)

Mobile: 079 287 5788

Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za