Even with the current international economic crisis impacting very negatively on especially the South African mining industry, the news of the retrenchment of 368 employees of Venetia mine, north of the Soutpansberg, came as a shock to many.

These figures were recently mentioned by Limpopo Premier Sello Moloto in his State-of-the-Province speech.

Commenting on the figures, Mr Tom Tweedy, spokesperson for De Beers, said Venetian mine is actually in a process which may lead to the retrenchment of just over 100 employees, due to cutbacks on positions, and not 368 positions as many of these positions are already vacant. The actual number of employees staring retrenchment in the face is 137. At this stage, however, the mining company cannot indicate whether these employees will be from Musina or Blouberg, since they have two labour sending areas. Apart from these employees, several subcontractors delivering services to the mine will also close down because of the cutbacks.

“This can only be determined once we have done the final selections which affect everyone, management as much as other posts,” reads Tweedy’s reply to media enquiries. It must be mentioned that every employee received a notice of retrenchment, from the managing director downwards.

Overall, the picture in terms of unemployment in the mining sector in the province does not look good. Anglo Platinum is in the process of retrenching 1 300 workers in the Mokopane area alone. Twickenham has already declared 180 workers redundant and these workers are therefore facing possible retrenchment. The Lonmin mine is also shutting down one of its shafts in Zebediela, which will result in 1 200 workers’ losing their jobs.