Retrenchments at South32’s Hillside smelter will be avoided as an estimated 400 employees have opted for voluntary separation and early retirement packages. In a statement on South32’s website, the mining and metals company said the consultation on the restructuring of the business, had concluded with an agreement between all parties which would be ratified in the coming weeks. According to Hillside Aluminium’s vice-president of operations, Calvin Mkhabela, in addition to the voluntary separation and early retirement, a salary freeze for the next three years had also been agreed and would provide certainty on labour costs. The smelter would also continue to implement other cost-saving initiatives.

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