JOHANNESBURG – Anglo Platinum, the world’s top platinum producer, said it will indefinitely close four of its shafts in South Africa’s platinum belt and sell its union mine, as part of a sweeping reorganisation of its struggling business.
Report by Reuters
The company also said in a strategic review released yesterday the reshuffle will lead to 14 000 job cuts, which it hopes to eventually replace with a similar number of new positions.
The review, seen as crucial to the flagging fortunes of Anglo American, which owns about 80% of Amplats, had widely been expected to lead to at least some shaft closures due to soaring costs and falling profits.
Amplats said on Monday it likely fell to a full-year loss because of costly strikes. But closures could risk a new wave of labour unrest, with the militant Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union threatening to close operations like it did last year if the review leads to shutdowns and job losses.
Amplats said it would “divest the union mines at the right time – to maximise value under different ownership”. Reuters reported on Monday Amplats was likely to sell union.
“Four unsustainable, high-cost shafts, namely Khuseleka 1 and 2 and Khomanani 1 and 2, will be put on long-term care and maintenance,” it said. As a result, about 400 000 ounces would be taken out of its production profile, which could help the price of the white metal, which hit a three-month high yesterday on South African supply concerns.
Shares of Amplats were flat in early trade yesterday dipping in and out of negative territory as investors digested news the platinum producer would indefinitely close four of its South Africa shafts and sell its union mine.
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Amplats was up 0,6% at R493,98, compared to a 0,14% rise in the benchmark Top 40 – index.
