Mine boss in the dock for defying regulations
IMPALA Platinum Holdings (Implats) has denied charges of contravening the Disaster Management Act after Mark Munroe, chief executive of Implats’s Rustenburg mining operations, appeared in the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
The Rustenburg plant is a subsidiary of Implats.
Implats spokesperson Johan Theron confirmed on Friday that Munroe appeared in court that morning in his representative capacity.
“I can confirm that Impala, a subsidiary of Implats, was today charged with contravention of the provisions of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002. Mark Munroe, the chief executive of Impala’s Rustenburg mining operations, appeared in the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court in his representative capacity.
“Impala denied all the charges presented, and the matter has been postponed for further investigation,” Theron said.
He said Impala had fully co-operated with the SAPS and their investigation into the charges.
“Implats and its subsidiaries fully support the measures put in place by the government led by President Cyril Ramaphosa to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“We continue to engage openly and regularly with all our key stakeholders,” he said.
It is believed that Munroe was granted bail of R60 000 on Friday.
On Thursday, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe announced that mines would be allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity during the lockdown, according to amended government regulations published on Thursday.
Implats said it also supported the lockdown measures taken by the national government to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and welcomed the amended regulations, which would assist in securing crucial mining infrastructure and mitigate the severe impact of these measures on the lives and livelihoods of employees, host communities and suppliers.
Implats chief executive Nico Muller said the group was committed to engaging with all its stakeholders as it navigates the challenges presented by the evolving Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have been working tirelessly since the emergence of the virus to safeguard our employees, and ensure the sustainability of our company.
“We have significantly strengthened the preventative safety and health measures put in place and are ready for a safe and orderly start-up, once we are given the go-ahead to resume full-scale production at our operations,” Muller said.