Locals revolt against ‘outsiders’ employed at minerals mine.
Community protests against recruitment policy at Hillendale mine.
A GROUP of disgruntled Gobandlovu residents last Monday blocked the entrance to Tronox KZN Sands’ Hillendale mine south of Richards Bay to protest against what they called the ‘unprocedural recruitment’ of workers.
As the company shifts its mineral mining operations to their new site at Fairbreeze mine outside Mtunzini, new temporary workers have reportedly been recruited to assist with the dismantling and moving of the mine’s heavy equipment.
But community members were peeved with the appointment of non-locals.
‘People living near this mine feel they were supposed to be given first preference in the recruitment process,’ said one community representative, who requested to remain anonymous.
In response to the grievances, Tronox KZN Sands Planning and Optimisation Manager, Eben Scholtz, explained that the disassembling of the plant was not part of the agreed recruitment policy negotiated with the local communities two years ago.
‘At the time of the agreement there was no discussion around the dismantling of Hillendale Mine as the plan was to move the entire plant from Hillendale to Fairbreeze,’ said Scholtz.
‘Subsequent to that, a decision rather to dismantle the plant was taken by Tronox management in the light of the current economic climate.
‘The broader community may not have been aware that in the agreement there is a clause that allows construction companies to bring 40% of their core employees to site and 60% to be sourced locally.’
Resolution
Mine management met with the community on Wednesday to resolve the friction.
‘All parties have reached amicable agreements and the Exxaro and Tronox teams look forward to a continued good community relationship going forward, with both parties honouring the relevant agreements,’ said Scholtz.
Community members declared they were pleased that some of the temporary workers at Hillendale would be relocated to Fairbreeze.
‘They also assured us temporary employment would take place within the Dube Traditional Authority and first priority for permanent jobs at Fairbreeze Mine will be given to people within the uThungulu District,’ the community representative said.
