Lonmin’s biggest mining union tries to block Sibanye deal

Lonmin’s mines are located on the western limb of South Africa’s Bushveld Igneous Complex (BIC), which hosts almost 80% of the world’s PGM resources. (Image courtesy of Lonmin.)

JOHANNESBURG – A South African union has filed an appeal to overturn a mining deal in which Sibanye-Stillwater intends to acquire rival Lonmin , Sibanye said on Wednesday.

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), protesting to job cuts related to the deal, launched an appeal with the Competition Appeals Court. The union’s action comes almost a month after the Competition Tribunal gave the deal the thumbs up on condition that Sibanye does not cut jobs for a period of six months.

The all-share deal, valued at 285 million pounds ($361 million), is likely to lead to more than 10,000 layoffs, both companies have said.

Sibanye-Stillwater and Lonmin intend to request an urgent hearing from the Competition Appeals Court in relation to AMCU’s appeal, Sibanye said on Wednesday.

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(By Tiisetso Motsoeneng; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)