Chamber says mining pact will be signed

Reuters

Striking miners gather at the AngloGold Ashanti mine in Carletonville, outside Johannesburg, on Monday. The Chamber of Mines says mining firms and union leaders have agreed on a pact to return the gold sector to normality.

Johannesburg - Mines and trade unions will sign an agreement on Thursday to bring normality to the gold mining sector, the Chamber of Mines said on Monday.

“We now have to put all our efforts into stabilising the gold mining sector and returning the industry to normality,” the chamber's Elize Strydom said in a statement.

The Chamber of Mines, representing Anglogold Ashanti, Gold Fields and Harmony Gold, met with the National Union of Mineworkers, Solidarity and Uasa on Monday.

Strydom said the parties agreed in principle on the content of the agreement which they intended signing on Thursday. Monday's discussions were positive and there was a collective resolve by all parties to end the unprotected strikes as soon as possible, as this was in the best interests of the employees and the companies.

“It is most pleasing to note that large numbers of employees have returned to work and strikes on a number of operations have ended,” she added.

Miners went on strike in September for monthly salaries of between R12 500 and R16 000. - Sapa