Agreement sees RBM resume operations
Richards Bay Minerals is expected to resume operations from Wednesday after reaching an agreement with host communities.
The announcement was made by the mining giant on Tuesday, following disputes with the four communities and traditional leaders over a number of issues.
Rio Tinto declared a force majeure in late June after the murder of top manager Nico Swart and subsequent violent attacks at the mine.
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The company also shut one of its four furnaces in July due to depleted stockpiles of available feedstock at the plant.
KZN's Department of Economic Development spokesperson Bheki Mbanjwa says a deal to improve how community trusts are run was made.
"The agreement lead to RMB releasing R130 million to community trusts for the four host communities. These trusts were established in 2009 as vehicles through which the four host communities receive dividends for community upliftment.
"The provincial government has been at the forefront of efforts to resolve the impasse between RMB and the host communities. This means that many jobs that were placed under threat will now be saved."
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Meanwhile, mineworkers belonging to NUM halted its plans to embark on a march to RBM on Tuesday after getting a late response granting them permission to proceed with the march.
NUM says workers are tired of bearing the brunt of the force majeure.
