Lonmin boosts dialogue

GRIEVANCES: MINER SETS IN PLACE MECHANISM TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES

Based on global best practice and principles.

Platinum producer Lonmin yesterday launched a community grievance system in a bid to improve communication and the resolution of disputes in areas where it operates.

Last year, Lonmin lost around 25 000 tons of production due to sporadic unrest after members of the 40 000-strong Bapo-baMogale community, near Brits, in the Rustenburg platinum belt marched to the miner demanding 1 000 jobs for its youth.

The community grievance mechanism known as buang le rona/thetha nathi – meaning talk to us – kicked off last year with a pilot project.

Thandeka Ncube, Lonmin’s executive for stakeholder engagement and regulatory affairs, said the mechanism had received input from all affected stakeholders over many months of planning and research.

“The system came about as a result of the introduction of an internal policy based on global best practice and international principles offering to our communities.

“We made it a point to ensure that grievances and conflicts are mediated in a transparent and fair manner and, most importantmin-owned ly, this system will be able to track the progress of a grievance until it is resolved,” Ncube said.

Ncube said Lonmin had invested in an awareness drive to educate the community and employees on how to access the system.

This included posters and comment boxes at shafts and at Lon- or sponsored community facilities, as well as outdoor branding on buses, bus shelters and billboards.

“The system is only as good as the people who use it and we hope that through the mechanism in place, Lonmin will be able resolve issues speedily,” she said. – ANA