Anglo American Platinum Ltd., the world’s biggest platinum miner by market value, has agreed to a new five-year wage deal, according to the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union.
The pivotal deal with the unit of Anglo American Plc could be signed this week and would be effective from July, said Jeff Mphahlele, general secretary for AMCU. About 163,000 workers in South Africa’s platinum industry have been pressing for a share of the record profits generated by a rally in metal prices.
“The agreement has been reached in-principle and we are about to sign the offer with Anglo,” Mphahlele said. “We are just dealing with the final wording of the agreement itself.”
Amplats is making “good progress with this year’s wage negotiations,” spokeswoman Nomonde Ndwalaza said.
The agreement may help calm investors fears about labor unrest in the sector, a key export industry for the South African economy. While platinum wage deals have been settled fairly smoothly during recent negotiating rounds, in 2014 AMCU led South Africa’s longest ever strike in the industry.
South Africa is the world’s top miner of platinum and rhodium, and is also the biggest palladium producer after Russia. The metals are key to curbing toxins from vehicle emissions.
Amplats has agreed to give its workers a monthly increase of 1,100 rand ($70) in the first year of the deal, rising to 1,500 rand in the fifth year, Mphahlele said. AMCU has been holding joint negotiations with its former rival, the National Union of Mineworkers.
Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. has also proposed a five-year wage deal and an agreement may be reached soon, Mphahlele said. Talks with the unions are “constructive,” spokesman Johan Theron said.
“It’s in everybody’s interest to secure an agreement for an extended period of time,” Theron added. “It helps bring stability and the employer knows what the labor cost is going to be. It’s easier to make long-term plans.”
Negotiations with Sibanye Stillwater Ltd.’s South African platinum mines will start on June 1, Mphahlele said. AMCU and NUM’s members have been on a wage strike at Sibanye’s three gold mines since March 10.
