The lack of involvement of trade unions in the safety audit at Aquarius Platinum's operations invalidates the validity of the review, it has been claimed.

Last week, Aquarius Platinum issued a statement declaring that its Everest and Marikana mines had been passed as fit for use by inspectors from the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME).

However, this has since been refuted by the DME representatives who said that no mine has yet been cleared by the inspections.

Now the Solidarity trade union has claimed that because trade unions did not play a part in the audit process it was not conducted according to the conditions laid down before the review commenced and that the results are necessarily compromised.

A statement from Solidarity said: "One of the principles laid down for the audit is that government, labour and the company being audited must all participate before the process can be declared a success."

Meanwhile, Solidarity Spokesperson Reint Dykema commented: "The DME investigation at Aquarius Platinum found serious structural defects at both Marikana and Everest. Why then would the DME suddenly find everything in order?"

Source:

Aquarius Platinum must stop playing audit games, says Solidarity, 14/01/08

http://www.moneyweb.co.za/mw/view/mw/en/page1639?oid=185251&sn=Detail

Safety below par at Aquarius mines, says DME, 10/01/08

http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4199613



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