Anglo American Platinum Limited (“Anglo American Platinum”) is providing an update in respect of its Rustenburg operations following resumption of those operations on Tuesday 18 September 2012.
The increase in police visibility and action has created an environment conducive for our employees to return to work and isolated incidents of intimidation and violence are being dealt with.
The safety and security of our employees is of paramount importance to Anglo American Platinum and we continue to urge employees to continue using formal and recognised engagement structures in place to address any concerns.
Anglo American Platinum urged its employees to return to work by no later than today. Given the authorities’ assessment that it is safe to go to work, the company is now left with no alternative but to declare those who have not returned to work to be participating in illegal industrial action in violation of a court order dated 12 September 2012 which declared the current actions to be illegal.
In order to achieve full resumption of all the mining operations as soon as possible, Anglo American Platinum has communicated to its employees the requirement to return to work by night shift on Thursday 20 September, failing which legal avenues will be pursued. Anglo American Platinum’s Rustenburg mining operations are already under considerable economic pressure, any further delays in returning to work will only increase the risk to the long-term viability of these mines.
We continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further information as appropriate.