South African gold miners reach wage settlement with mining unions

The gold mining companies, which are members of the South African Chamber of Mines, AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, Harmony Gold and Rand Uranium signed the 2009 wage agreements with unions representing gold sector employees (National Union of Mineworkers, Solidarity and UASA) bringing to conclusion the 2009 wage negotiations for the Chamber of Mines gold mining sector.

As part of the agreement, the companies will increase salaries for the entry level employees by 10.5%, and by 10% for the other lower category employees. Salaries for Miners and Artisans and Officials will increase by 9%.

In the July 2010 pay month, the salaries will be improved by CPI plus 1%, with a guaranteed increase of 7.5%. The monthly underground entry-level salaries will be increased to R4000 by the July 2010 pay month. 

These increments are in addition to other improved benefits such as increases in the living out allowance from the current R1200 per month to R1400 per month by September 2010.

"I am pleased with the outcome of the negotiations.  In this regard, I would like to thank the union leadership for the professionalism in which these negotiations took place, particularly as this was during a period of difficult operational environment for the gold mining sector", said Dr Elize Strydom who negotiates on behalf of the gold mining companies.

 For enquiries please contact:

 Jabu Maphalala

Deputy Communications Adviser

Chamber of Mines of South Africa

Tel No.  +27 11 498 7212

Fax No. + 27 11 838 4251

Cell No. + 27 71 679 2770