The mine said the retrenchment processes follow a detailed three-month review of the Marikana operations and that the job losses are necessary to ensure the sustainability of the mine’s overall operation.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and Amcu have nonetheless both urged Sibanye to consider alternatives. The NUM said it is negotiating with the mine to minimise the number of job cuts during the restricting process. Amcu has, on the other hand, said although it is still processing the retrenchment notice and documents supplied by the mine, it is of the view that the retrenchments are a clear indication of how profits are valued more than people.

Amcu added that it will comment more comprehensibly once they have completed studying the documents supplied by the mine.

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