Barbrook mine placed in business rescue putting 780 jobs on the line
About 780 workers at Barbrook gold mine near Barberton faced a bleak Christmas with the mine just placed in business rescue, Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) president Joseph Mathunjwa said on Monday. Vantage Goldfields owns Barbrook and Lily Mine. Lily Mine was placed in business rescue nine months ago after a pillar collapsed, causing a lamp room in which three people were working to fall into a sinkhole. The three bodies have not been recovered and Lily mine has remained closed as it is no longer safe to mine in that area. About 130 of Lily mine’s employees were moved to Barbrook, but the rest took retrenchment packages. Amcu said Barbrook’s employees were paid only 15% of their November salaries and may not receive any December pay. The 370 workers who took packages at Lily have not received any wages for about nine months and were surviving on food parcels from Amcu and some nongovernmental organisations. Amcu called for an urgent inquest after the Lily ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.