Rosh Pinah workers want 12% ownership

The Rosh Pinah branch of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) wants employees of the Rosh Pinah Zinc Corporation to own 12% of the zinc mine in southern Namibia.

The employees currently have 1.19% shareholding, according to a letter written by the union to the mine's COO Christo Horn, dated 22 May 2017.

In the letter, seen by Nampa, the union is requesting Canadian firm, Trevali Mining Corporation, to donate 12% of its shares to the Rosh Pinah Employee Empowerment Scheme.

Trevali, according to media reports, is in the process of closing a deal in which it will acquire the mine's 80.08% majority stake owned by Swiss-based company, Glencore.

The remaining 19.92% is shared between Namibian-owned companies Jaguar Investments and PE Minerals Namibia and the employees.

The union said in the letter, signed by branch chairperson Allen Kalumbu, that the value of the donation could still be negotiated by the union and trustees of the empowerment scheme and the new owner.

“The employees are requesting Trevali to donate 12% into the scheme for their empowerment and betterment for the time invested in the company. However, the proposed percentage is negotiable,” the letter reads.

Kalumbu refused to discuss the letter and said it is not a matter for the media when approached by Nampa on Tuesday, although a union source said the note was delivered to Horn's office on Monday.

Repeated calls to Horn and company spokesperson, Kondja Kaulinge went unanswered.



NAMPA