JOHANNESBURG - South Africa’s mining industry remains one of the most important sectors of the economy.
However, the industry continues to bleed jobs due to retrenchments.
Mining companies attributed high input costs to these retrenchments.
While miners bear the brunt of this industry decline calls for the sector to intensify its reskilling efforts to meet the labour demands of the industry mount.
The ANC Youth League and National Union of Mineworkers youth structure, which both led a picket outside the Minerals Council against retrenchments on Friday, believe reskilling could address the job cuts.
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The ANC youth wing says the responsibility lies with the mining companies themselves.
The Minerals Council asserts that mining companies are investing in upskilling and skills development programmes, but says these have to be informed.
While the sector works to address the skills deficit and mitigate against challenges which exist within it, including illegal mining, the future of thousands of miners remains uncertain.
- eNCA reporter Nkosikhona Malinga-Mnisi filed this report.