Interim business rescue practitioner Marius van Tonder has estimated the formal plan will be completed by the end of September. The process follows a Northern Cape High Court ruling in July, which set aside the provisional liquidation of Ekapa Minerals and placed the company under business rescue following an application by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa).

Ekapa Minerals and Ekapa Resources were placed under provisional liquidation in March following a mud rush at the Du Toitspan Joint Shaft in February. Five mineworkers died after being trapped about 890m underground when wet mud and water blocked the tunnel.

Numsa has previously said the business rescue process could initially protect about 500 of the mine’s 1,030 jobs, with additional employees potentially returning if operations stabilise and the company becomes profitable. However, employees who have not yet received their February salaries have questioned how the 500 workers would be selected.

“The business rescue process must be given a fair opportunity to determine whether Ekapa can be saved, rather than allowing the mine’s assets to be disposed of prematurely,” said Numsa Northern Cape and Free State regional secretary Andile Zitho.

“Workers cannot be treated as an afterthought in this process. Their jobs, outstanding salaries and future livelihoods must remain central to every decision.

“We believe there is still an opportunity to preserve jobs and restart operations, but that opportunity must not be undermined by decisions that could push the mine closer to closure. There is no space for trial and error. Every decision taken now must consider the workers and the future of the mine.”

The rescue process depends on R25m in post-commencement finance. Numsa said business rescue practitioners have assured the union the required funding has been secured to support the proposed restart of operations.

Ekapa’s joint provisional liquidators have, however, warned of serious environmental and economic consequences if Eskom disconnects the mine over unpaid electricity bills. A power interruption would stop 114 boreholes and critical pumps that keep underground workings dry.

The liquidators say flooding could begin within 48 hours of the electricity supply being interrupted. Water could damage infrastructure and equipment and create a risk of groundwater contamination in and around the mining area.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg

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