South African tycoon Neal Froneman-led Sibanye considers cutting 4,000 jobs in major gold restructuring

Sibanye-Stillwater, a multinational precious metal mining group led by South African businessman Neal Froneman, has announced additional restructuring plans at some of its South African gold mining operations. The move, disclosed on Thursday, is expected to lead to the loss of 4,022 jobs, triggering a contentious response from unions.

The decision to implement further restructuring was underscored by the company’s annual loss of $2 billion in 2023, primarily attributed to a decline in metal prices. The company’s focus on addressing operational hurdles, notably at its Beatrix 1 shaft, which has underperformed in production targets, underscores the urgency of the measures being undertaken.

Sibanye-Stillwater faces labor pushback on restructuring plan

Sibanye-Stillwater is facing stiff opposition from labor unions over its proposed restructuring plan, which aims to address operational inefficiencies and ensure long-term sustainability. Despite mounting pressure, the company maintains that the restructuring is necessary.

The plan, which particularly affects the Kloof 2 plant impacted by a shortage of processing material following the 2023 closure of the Kloof 4 shaft, is estimated to impact 3,107 employees and 915 contractors. This has exacerbated tensions between Sibanye-Stillwater and labor representatives.

Froneman underlines restructuring need to fortify balance sheet

Neal Froneman, Chief Executive of Sibanye-Stillwater, underscores the criticality of the restructuring to fortify the company’s financial position and ensure its viability amidst challenging market conditions. Froneman’s leadership has been pivotal in steering the company’s evolution into a leading producer of platinum, palladium, and gold, amplifying his influence in navigating the current tumultuous landscape.

This announcement follows Sibanye-Stillwater’s prior job cuts, which saw 2,600 positions eliminated at its platinum group metal (PGM) operations due to plummeting metal prices. The company’s financial woes were further compounded by impairments totaling $2.6 billion across its US palladium mines, a nickel operation in France, and a South African gold mine.

As Sibanye-Stillwater grapples with the ramifications of its restructuring endeavors, the contentious debate surrounding job losses underscores broader concerns regarding the economic sustainability of South Africa’s mining sector amidst prevailing market uncertainties.