Department of Mineral Resources and Energy - Republic of South Africa

05/15/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/15/2024 10:03

MINISTER MANTASHE ENGAGES WITH STAKEHOLDERS ON THE REOPENING OF LILY AND BARBROOK GOLD MINES

The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Mr. Gwede Mantashe (MP) held a successful stakeholder engagement session that deliberated on the plans to reopen Lily and Barbrook gold mines in Nelspruit, ...

nga today, Wednesday 15 May 2024.

Attended by stakeholders representing Vantage Goldfields; Lomshiyo Traditional Council; the Business Rescue Practitioner; organized labour; and government leaders, the session sought to inculcate cooperation between all stakeholders involved in the efforts to reopen the Lily and Barbrook gold mines.

The DMRE approved Section 11 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) of 2002 for Vantage Goldfields to resume operations at Lily and Barbrook gold mines. The company is expected to sink a decline / shaft to gain access to the underground workings to retrieve the container and the three missing employees at Lily mine.

Speaking at the session, Minister Mantashe said that "we all agree that at the center of our work is to re-open Lily mine, retrieve the bodies and bring closure to the affected families and fellow mineworkers."

"Despite the approval of the section 11 which paves the way for the re-opening of the mines and retrieval of the containers, this is not the time for celebrations, but the time for us to put more efforts and ensure that the mines re-open in the shortest possible time," he added.

All stakeholders, including representatives of the Lomshiyo Traditional Council; the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU); and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) expressed full support and confidence in the efforts to reopen the mines as these will create the much need jobs in the Liouville community.

The business rescue process is expected to be completed by end of July 2024, after which the operations may resume.

For enquiries: [email protected]

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Issued by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy