Marikana Mine Gets Better Under New Owner: Higher Wages, Safer Work, Less Strikes

In 2012, the Marikana mine in South Africa was a place of trouble. Workers were unhappy, there were violent strikes, and 34 miners were killed by police. The owner at that time, Lonmin, had bad relationships with workers and the community.

In 2019, a company called Sibanye bought the mine. Since then, things have changed for the better. There have been no big strikes. Wages have gone up a lot. Entry-level miners now earn R20,813 per month, up from R12,713 in 2019. That is a 64% increase, which is more than inflation.

Safer Working Conditions

The mine is also safer now. There is better lighting and protective netting in the areas where miners work. The rock drills are lighter and have a support leg, making the job easier. Accidents and deaths have gone down.

Better Community Relations

Sibanye has also worked on building trust with the community. Unlike Lonmin, which built only a few houses for workers, Sibanye supports local businesses. For example, they helped a local baker start a business that now employs 30 people.

The mine has also acknowledged the painful past. Instead of pretending the 2012 massacre did not happen, Sibanye talks about it and tries to heal old wounds.

Overall, Marikana shows how good management can make a mine better for workers, the community, and the company. When workers are paid fairly and treated well, they are more productive and less likely to strike.

This article was originally published on Daily Maverick.