MEDIA RELEASE 

30 January 2025

SUMMARY: The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) has criticised the mining industry for its ongoing neglect of worker safety, insufficient socioeconomic support for mining communities, and lack of preparedness for the socioeconomic impacts of coal mine closures in Mpumalanga. The Union proposes initiatives such as establishing factories in affected communities to manufacture green energy components, implementing retraining programs for former mineworkers, and investing in local infrastructure projects. AMCU remains steadfast in its advocacy for economic justice, mine safety, and responsible mining practices. As the global mining elite gathers at the annual Mining Indaba, AMCU once again exposes the stark realities facing South Africa’s mining sector. 

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) has expressed profound disappointment in the mining industry’s persistent neglect of worker safety, inadequate attention to the socioeconomic well-being of mining communities, and failure to address the repercussions of coal mine closures in Mpumalanga.

Recent statistics from the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) indicate a troubling stagnation in safety improvements within the sector. Despite previous commitments to achieving ‘zero harm’ by 2024, the industry continues to witness preventable incidents, underscoring a glaring lack of investment in effective safety measures.

“It is unacceptable that in 2025, our members still face life-threatening hazards daily. The industry’s failure to prioritise safety is evident in the recurring accidents that claim lives and devastate families”, said AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa.

AMCU has consistently submitted proposed amendments to the Mine Health and Safety Act to strengthen regulations and, inter alia, hold mine owners criminally liable for preventable fatalities. The Union has long argued that the persistent loss of lives in the industry is a direct result of profit-driven negligence, yet policymakers and industry leaders continue to delay critical reforms. The safety of mineworkers should never be compromised for corporate gain.

Beyond safety concerns, AMCU highlights the industry’s insufficient efforts to uplift the socioeconomic conditions of mining communities. Studies have shown that mining operations often contribute to social challenges and inequalities in local communities, with minimal benefits reaching the workers or surrounding areas.

AMCU is particularly alarmed by the impending closures of coal mines in Mpumalanga, a region heavily dependent on coal mining for employment. A recent study identified 69 mines in Mpumalanga’s coal fields at high risk of closure, potentially affecting approximately six million people residing in mining areas. The anticipated job losses from these closures could exacerbate the already high unemployment rates in South Africa, which stood at 32,1% in the third quarter of 2024. Mpumalanga, in particular, has consistently recorded some of the highest provincial unemployment rates.

“The wealth generated from our nation’s mineral resources is not reflected in the living conditions of mineworkers and their families. We demand that mining companies take immediate action to invest in community development and ensure that the benefits of mining are equitably shared”, Mathunjwa emphasised.

Many multinational mining corporations have strategically sold off their coal mines to junior miners and Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) owners, who now find themselves forced to “switch off the lights”—abandoning operations under financial distress and sidestepping rehabilitation regulations. This reckless trend leaves behind environmental devastation and socio-economic instability in affected communities.

AMCU has consistently advocated for retrenched mineworkers to play an active role in mine rehabilitation. The Union has proposed that these workers be empowered to establish subsistence farms on rehabilitated mining land to address their socioeconomic needs. However, these constructive proposals have fallen on deaf ears, leaving thousands of former mineworkers in economic despair while mining conglomerates escape accountability.

AMCU also raises concerns about the increasing trend of casualisation through Section 189 of the Labour Relations Act, which allows employers to retrench workers for operational requirements. This practice undermines job security and leaves many workers without adequate compensation or prospects for future employment.

Regarding the rapid closure of coal mines, AMCU has made a clarion call for Mpumalanga to be transformed into the hub of the green industry. The Union has also highlighted the plight of workers affected by mine closures in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), particularly at Zululand Anthracite Colliery (ZAC) and other coal mines. The recent protest action by AMCU in Durban serves as a warning that mass retrenchments and economic neglect will not be tolerated. The so-called “mothballing” of mines is being done opportunistically to serve corporate interests, while communities and workers bear the brunt of these decisions. AMCU calls for mining licences at mothballed mines to be reallocated to affected communities and workers so that they can mine the remaining minerals for their own socioeconomic security.

To mitigate the adverse effects of the transition from coal to green energy, AMCU proposes several initiatives: 

1. Industrialisation and Beneficiation: Establish factories in communities hardest hit by mine closures to manufacture components needed for green energy infrastructure, such as solar panels and wind turbines. This approach would create new employment opportunities and stimulate local economies.
   
   
2. Skills Development and Retraining: Implement comprehensive training programs to equip former mineworkers with skills relevant to the renewable energy sector and other emerging industries.
   
   
3. Community Development Projects: Invest in infrastructure projects, including schools, healthcare facilities, and transportation, to improve the quality of life in mining communities and attract further investment.
   
   
4. Small Business Support: Provide financial assistance and mentorship to encourage entrepreneurship among former mineworkers and community members, fostering economic diversification.
   
   
5. Environmental Rehabilitation: Engage former mineworkers in the rehabilitation of abandoned mine sites, turning environmental restoration into a source of employment.
   
   

In 2018, AMCU submitted a memorandum to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), proposing a system whereby at least 40% of minerals must be locally beneficiated. This initiative aimed to stimulate local industries, create jobs, and ensure that South Africa benefits from its own resources. However, this call has been largely ignored by authorities and mining corporations alike, who continue to prioritise raw mineral exports over national economic development.

AMCU will actively participate in the upcoming Mining Indaba, scheduled from 3 to 6 February 2025, in Cape Town. As a member of the Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC), AMCU will leverage this platform to advocate for enhanced safety measures, socioeconomic development, and strategies to address the challenges posed by the transition from coal to green energy.

AMCU calls upon all stakeholders, including the government, mining companies, and civil society, to collaborate in addressing these pressing issues. The Union remains committed to advocating for the rights and well-being of mineworkers across South Africa.

“The Mining Indaba is not about developing the country—it is about setting new trends to loot our minerals in a short space of time. AMCU will continue to resist economic exploitation and fight for a mining industry that serves the people, not just the profits of a privileged few”, Mathunjwa concluded.

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For more information or media interviews, contact AMCU President Joseph