Buffalo Coal seeks positive wage negotations

Annual wage negotiations have started between Buffalo Coal (previously Forbes Coal) and the trade union, the Association of Mine Workers and Construction Union (AMCU).
This year the mine is hopeful of constructive negotiations and positive collaboration between management and the workers in a bid to reach a consensus that will be beneficial to the sustainability of the mine, the welfare of the employees and the district as a whole.

Employing around 1 200 workers (including contractors), Buffalo Coal is the single greatest contributor to the economy of the area in terms of employment and spin-off business.
Kevern Mattison, General Manager, said the mine is seeking to hold wage negotiations which will be conducted with integrity and in good faith.

The 2012 negotiations were marked by sustained protests by workers, which culminated in a tragic shooting at the Magdalene mine in the Dannhauser district.
There were also several marches in town. This year around, Buffalo Coal is working hard to prevent such scenarios.
Buffalo Mine spends around R11-million a year on their social and labour programme. 

Learning centres
Mr Mattison told the Courier that the mine contributes widely to the community – not only through employment, but also by supporting small and medium enterprises in the area, such as poultry farming, a brick works that supplies SABS-standard products, and others.
“We also fund 22 teachers who conduct extra maths, science and accountancy lessons on Saturday mornings at various schools in the area. We have drawn from the most qualified teachers in the area, and use the schools as Saturday learning centres.”
Buffalo Coal is also in the process of renovating a school in the Sleeve Donald area, Dannhauser district, with a resource centre that will include a library and computers.

Another school, Mehlwanaatlowana, is to be relocated and extended to accommodate a fully-fledged primary school up to Grade 7, to be built at Craigside. Depending on negotiations between the municipality and the Department of Education, there could also be the building of a high school in that area on the agenda.
“The mine also provides internships, learnerships and bursaries, especially for those living in this area, and carries out training programmes in skills such as bricklaying, welding, etcetera.”

Name change
Asked about the name change from Forbes to Buffalo, Mr Mattison said this came about as a result in a change in the make-up of the shareholders.
“We are now a South African company. Previously our head office was in Canada, but it is now in Johannesburg,” he concluded.