Local forum raise their concers against Glencore Xstrata’s Thorncliff mine
“We realised some of our concerns cannot be discussed with the 'middle management' as they failed us previously, we demand to see the CEO in order to tell him our demands."
STEELPOORT – The Ngwaabe Development Forum (NDF) accused Glencore Xstrata Mine’s Thorncliff management of neglecting to see to the needs of the locals and not adhering to the social-labour plan.
Hundreds of unemployed youngsters recently gathered at the Thorncliff entrance to voice their concerns and also to seek a special meeting with the mine’s top brass.
Chairman of the forum, Mr Adam “Pajero” Mohlahla said the mine had been ignoring their pleas for years. “We are gentle when we spoke to them today, but if they don’t listen, there will be war.”
Mohlahla said they wanted to tell the management to do away with their two-shift cycle and implement the three-shift one.
“Workers leave the mine tired because of working abnormal hours and that endangers their lives. If they can have three shifts this will enable unemployed locals to get job opportunities. Recently, there was a miner who died because of fatigue at one of Glencore shafts (Helena),” Mohlahla said.
“We realised some of our concerns cannot be discussed with the ‘middle management’ as they failed us previously, we demand to see the CEO in order to tell him our demands.”
The forum also accused the mine of not following the recruitment policy and hiring outsiders. “We are qualified to work in the mine, but the management is giving us a cold shoulder. People of North-West and Free State are working while the sons and daughters of the soil are suffering.”
Greater Tubatse Municipality (GTM) mayor, Mr Ralepane Mammekwa and his councillors were also in the meeting. The mayor told the mine management that they were invited by the forum in order to help them deliver the message to the mine. “We are not taking sides, we just want to hear their concerns. We thought it’s important to intervene as they normally raise their concerns on the streets. We plan a mining summit in due course, and hopefully we will solve all the mining problems. We wish to see economic development and a conducive working environment where all stakeholders are happy,” Mammekwa said.
The mine management under acting business leader Mr Japie van der Berg, NDF and GTM agreed to meet on February 3, when they would discuss the forum’s concerns.
