A coal mine in South Africa, politically linked to the Gupta family, will be suspended if managers fail to comply with social and labor plans. Workers protested Wednesday over uncertainty in operations.
The Mineral Resources Department conducted an inspection on Feb.8, and Optimum Coal is to take action to enforce compliance within 60 days, the ministry said in a statement. The National Union of Miners said it went on strike because key questions have not yet been answered at the mine.
“What our members want to know is whether they are going to sell the mine or not,” said Livhuvani Mamburu, a spokesman for the union. "They also want to know if there will be payments this Friday."
Gupta Oakbay Investments manager and former president's son Duduzane Zuma bought Optimum through Tegeta Exploration & Resources for $ 183 million from Glencore Plc in December 2015.
Oakbay did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Gupta family is accused of using their friendship with Zuma to secure government support. Both sides deny wrongdoing.
Reports that the Gupta brothers had fled the country, including brother Ajay, who was declared a fugitive, caused anxiety among workers in the mines. There are many difficult questions about the future of the mine.
The Gupta family's South African mine goes on strike
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Azovpromstal® 22 February 2018 г. 10:00 |
