Gold and platinum miner Sibanye-Stillwater will retrench 168 workers after initially planning 2,000 job cuts as it reduces or stops production at two SA operations.
Sibanye said in November that as many as 1,959 workers could face retrenchment as the Beatrix 4 shaft in the Free State was unprofitable and Kloof 1 shaft at Westonaria was nearing the end of its life.
After legally required consultation, 1,136 employees accepted transfers to other positions in the SA region and 552 were granted voluntary separation or early retirement packages, Sibanye said on Thursday. Natural attrition accounted for 103 employees.
A further 168 employees could not be accommodated or chose not to participate in the agreed avoidance measures and will be retrenched, the company said.
That number includes 39 learners who will be given the opportunity to complete their training, as well as 59 employees who declined an alternative position within the company, Sibanye added.
“While the decision to restructure operations is never taken lightly, the closure of the end of life and loss-making operations are necessary to ensure sustainability of the remainder of the business,” CEO Neal Froneman said.
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