Document Abstract
Published:
1 Mar 2007
Gold Mining companies in Africa: Workers' experiences
African gold mining from a workers perspective.
This paper examines the behavior of three leading gold producers in Africa; Gold Fields, Anglo-gold Ashanti, and Metorex. It discusses labour relations and working conditions, company restructuring, HIV/AIDS policies and practices; health and safety and environmental issues and social responsibility programmes.
The authors highlight that the benefits of gold mining activities for African workers and their communities are limited. Although most of the multinational gold mining companies adhere to national legislation, they do not always implement the collective agreements reached with the unions. Gold mining companies display an almost complete blindness towards issues of race and gender in their corporate governance practices, especially in senior positions. Unlike manufacturing companies, which are mobile and can relocate their production to other countries, mining companies are bound to the places where the minerals are found. Trade unions can negotiate better wages and working conditions and will have to develop a comprehensive strategy on outsourcing and sub-contracting which is widespread in the mining sector.
Key concluding points include:
The authors highlight that the benefits of gold mining activities for African workers and their communities are limited. Although most of the multinational gold mining companies adhere to national legislation, they do not always implement the collective agreements reached with the unions. Gold mining companies display an almost complete blindness towards issues of race and gender in their corporate governance practices, especially in senior positions. Unlike manufacturing companies, which are mobile and can relocate their production to other countries, mining companies are bound to the places where the minerals are found. Trade unions can negotiate better wages and working conditions and will have to develop a comprehensive strategy on outsourcing and sub-contracting which is widespread in the mining sector.
Key concluding points include:
- significant progress has been made over the past few years but unions still need to vigorously monitor developments and ensure that the health and safety of workers is protected at all times
- unions need to closely monitor the environment, which is often badly damaged as a result of mining operations. Loss of agricultural land, depletion of ground water and large-scale pollution are some of the effects of gold mining
- all too often mining companies are allowed to dictate terms and derive huge incomes from Africa’s resources with few benefits for African workers and their communities. Unions therefore need to campaign for a change in attitude and policies to ensure that mining benefits local communities
- social investments by mining companies are important and should be welcome, but on their own, they are not sufficient compensation for the profits made by these companies and the damage caused by their operations.
