Johannesburg – The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Monday said the settlement agreement reached over Optimum Coal Mine and Optimum Coal Terminal will save hundreds of jobs.
NUM said it welcomes the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Liberty Coal settlement agreement reached over Optimum Coal Mine and Optimum Coal Terminal, “as settled in front of and ordered by the North Gauteng High Court”.
Last week on Thursday, the high court in Pretoria granted the NPA’s application for two forfeiture orders to settle ongoing litigation over Optimum Coal Mine and Optimum Coal Terminal.
Commenting on the agreement, NUM said: “More than 500 jobs are to be saved after the NPA and Liberty Coal negotiated a R462 million forfeiture settlement over mining rights”.
NUM added: “Under the agreement signed last week Liberty Coal gains ownership of Optimum Coal Mine and its export arm, the Optimum Coal Terminal.”
The NUM called on the Richards Bay Coal Terminal board to immediately give back Optimum’s train allocation so as to allow for the resumption of the company’s export capacity, which the union said will ensure that the re-opening of the mine forges ahead unhindered.
“The NUM calls for Liberty Coal to re-employ all the employees who lost their jobs during the time when Optimum Coal Mine was placed under business rescue,” said Bizza Motubatse, NUM Highveld Regional Chairperson.
“The NUM reiterates its position that the NPA’s preservation order against Optimum Coal Mine asserts was a final nail in the coffin of the workers who suffered at the hands of the Gupta family’s shenanigans.”
The NUM said it always maintained a position that the government failed to step in and use its powers to protect the poor workers, while the Guptas brought the business to its knees and rendered it unable to pay employees salaries.
“We are simply saying that we are happy that eventually the NPA has arrived into its senses,” Motubatse said.
“For years now, members of the NUM at Optimum Coal Mine have been suffering due to unemployment.
“When the NPA decided to close that particular mine, it had a negative impact on our members who were unable to work for their families.
“We are saying to members now the grass is greener.
“As the NUM Highveld Region we welcome the stance because this matter has been long overdue.
“It was very difficult for our members who are working there to be able to feed their families and to take their children to school.
“We are hoping that the NPA will not come back at a later stage and decide to derail this particular process.”
