UASA Media Release: 16 December 2025
Statement by Abigail Moyo, spokesperson of the trade union UASA:
For UASA and its members in the mining sector, 2025 has been a year marked by economic strain, restructuring within key mining houses and a persistent decline in national job growth. Yet despite these challenges, UASA’s role as a stabilising force in the sector has remained clear—protecting livelihoods, ensuring fair labour practices and advocating for long-term sustainability across the industry.
A Difficult Economic Year for South Africa
South Africa’s economy continued to weaken throughout 2025. While gold reached highs of around R4 300/oz., unfortunately, this improvement in commodity price movements was overshadowed by a growing list of business liquidations, industry closures, and widespread retrenchments.
Much like previous years, the mining industry demonstrated its resilience—but seismicity issues, price drops and operational cost pressures tested this resilience.
- Sibanye-Stillwater faced ongoing strain in meeting wage expectations, only reaching an agreement with labour in the last quarter of the year. Its Kloof division is under threat of being placed on care and maintenance. Low grades, ageing infrastructure, and seismic risks continue to undermine long-term viability.
- Cullinan Mine entered a Section 189 process following ongoing price pressure and competition from artificial diamonds.
- EKAPA implemented layoffs earlier this year and has relied on TERS to cushion financial shocks for its employees.
These developments made 2025 particularly difficult for workers and communities across the gold and diamond belts.
Platinum: Recovery and Restructuring
The platinum sector was one of the few to experience some relief, with prices recovering steadily. The significant development for the year was the demerger of
Anglo American Platinum, resulting in the new stand-alone entity Valterra Platinum. UASA continues to monitor developments here, ensuring members remain protected as the new structure stabilises.
Coal and Chrome: Retrenchments
The coal sector continued to experience instability, with multiple Section 189 processes over the past 12 months—several of which are still underway. UASA began wage negotiations at the Coal Training Centre (CTC), aiming to secure a fair and sustainable outcome for its members.
In the chrome sector, Samancor remained under financial pressure due to volatile chrome prices and imposed a moratorium on new appointments. Government-led discussions around export taxes continue to shape the future landscape of this subsector.
Shrinking Industry – low Growth
One of the most persistent concerns in 2025 was the near absence of newly approved mining licences. With most operations scaling down rather than expanding, job creation remained stagnant and the outlook for employment growth across the sector remained bleak.
Despite the harsh environment, UASA played an active and stabilising role—supporting members through retrenchment consultations, advocating for responsible pension use, negotiating fair wages and engaging with employers to avoid job losses wherever possible.
Throughout the year, UASA actively supported its members through:
- Negotiations, including the recent wage talks at the Coal Training Centre (CTC)
- Consultations during Section 189 retrenchments
- Engagements aimed at preserving jobs wherever possible
- Advocacy for responsible retirement fund management
- Sector-wide discussions on labour sustainability
UASA believes that stability and strong labour relations remain central to navigating an industry under pressure. As South Africa enters 2026 on a new economic outlook, UASA will continue working with employers, government, and stakeholders to safeguard jobs, promote industry growth, and protect the rights and livelihoods of its members.
For further enquiries or to set up a personal interview, contact Abigail Moyo at 065 170 0162.