THE National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Monday more than 36,000 jobs were under threat in the embattled mining sector over next three months.
At the same time, the union is eyeing the construction sector and gearing up to go back to the platinum sector to regain lost membership.
The union estimated on Monday that a further 100,000 jobs could be at risk in a sector beset by low commodity prices and consistently increasing costs. That total includes contract jobs and the possible effect of Anglo-American’s move to dispose of assets.
Speaking at a briefing in Johannesburg on Monday, NUM general secretary David Sipunzi said 36,773 jobs were at stake during retrenchment consultation processes, although these could be mitigated by transfers during consultation.
Anglo American is preparing to shed dozens of mines globally over the next four years to focus on diamonds, platinum and copper, with the company expected to reduce staff globally by 78,000.
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