Integration of service functions continued into Marikana is a large, established operation, with all the necessary surface infrastructure to support mining operations. Five shafts are in operation, 4Belt, K3, Rowland, Saffy and E3, while a number of shafts are under care and maintenance. Conventional up-dip down-dip mining with a limited amount of breast mining is the predominant method of mining.
The ore mined at the Marikana operation is processed through five concentrators on site with a combined milling capacity of approximately ,t per month. The concentrate produced is dispatched to the smelter where a sulphide-rich matte is produced for further processing at the Base Metal Refinery BMR.
On 9 August about three thousand miners went on strike to demand a living wage. On 10 August, a large group of the striking miners approached the National Union for Miners NUM local office in order to demand support from their union, and were instead met with the firing of live ammunition, fatally wounding two miners. This fatal breakdown in communication between the miners and their union further aggravated a volatile situation, in which the miners and their families were desperately trying to have their voices heard and their needs met.
The miners were unable to attain a meeting with NUM or Lonmin representatives and events became increasingly militaristic following the death of the two protesting miners. Between 14 August at least four miners, two police officers and two security guards died in the ensuing violence. On 13 August, 30 miners were delegated to cross the veld field that separated them from another Lonmin platinum mine, Karee, where miners were also undergoing a wildcat strike.
The 30 miners were forced by security to turn back without being allowed to meet with miners on the other side. On their way back they were met with a contingent of police. Eye-witness reports say there were about 10 nyalas military police vans and two police trucks. The police barred their way and told them to lay down their weapons machetes also known as pangas , to which the workers refused, saying they needed the pangas for everyday living in the 'bush'.
The police allowed the miners to continue, but once they were about 10 metres away, the police allegedly began to open gun fire rubber bullets and later live ammunition on them, and the miners retaliated.
Platinum group mineral reserves at Marikana mine The PGMs produced at the mine include platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold 4E. The proven and probable ore reserves were estimated to be Contained ore is estimated to be The measured, indicated and inferred resources were estimated to be Mining and processing for Marikana platinum mine Marikana is predominantly an underground mining operation involving limited opencast mining.
The mine is currently being operated with ten active shafts and inclines in the Bushveld Igneous Complex. The K4 shaft has been put under care and maintenance. Since the takeover from Lonmin, Sibanye-Stillwater has sought to intensify engagement with many of its stakeholders in and around Marikana, particularly with those most directly affected by the tragedy, namely the families of the deceased. Find more about Marikana Memorial activities here.
Under this initiative, IPA members regularly meet to discuss and address industry challenges. IPA members agreed to a sustainability initiative under the IPA Sustainability Committee to improve living and working conditions of people in communities around mining operations. Important elements of this initiative include comprehensive sustainability audits in the South African PGM sector, exchange on success factors regarding community challenges and best practices.
IPA members endorsed audit principles on the quality of schemes assuring sustainability performance and committed to auditing sites under this scheme. IPA platinum mines are committed to carry out audits on their operations under this sustainability assurance scheme. The company responded with COVID support programs addressing the areas of health, social relief, the support of small, medium and micro enterprises SMME , education and awareness.
Sibanye-Stillwater was cautious about the return to underground mining and followed social distancing protocols resulting in reduced shifts and output of metals. Find more on Sibanye-Stillwater's measurements during the pandemic here. Find more on Sibanye-Stillwater support initiatives during the pandemic here. Assuming Responsibility Our general approach towards all our suppliers is that we act responsibly and expect the same from our partners.
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