Sinomine Apologises Over Justice Minister's Visiting Incident [Namibian] Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter has issued a public apology after an incident involving justice minister Wise Immanuel, and his delegation during a visit to the company on Monday morning.

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Minister suspends Voluntary Separation at Sinomine Smelter Minister suspends Voluntary Separation at Sinomine Smelter NBC Online Tue, 07/08/2025 - 08:50

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Sinomine apologises for denying Labour Minister access to Tsumeb Smelter Sinomine apologises for denying Labour Minister access to Tsumeb Smelter NBC Online Mon, 07/07/2025 - 20:52

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Sinomine Project Gets Greenlight Amid Job Cuts [Namibian] Sinomines's new metal recycling project has received environmental approval, despite controversy over recent retrenchments and union concerns about inadequate labour consultations.

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MUN still challenging Sinomine’s voluntary separation scheme Niël Terblanché The Mine Workers Union of Namibia (MUN) has reiterated its opposition to what it describes as disguised retrenchments at the Sinomine Copper Smelter in Tsumeb, following the company’s announcement of a voluntary separation scheme (VSS) affecting up to 650 workers. Speaking after a six-hour meeting with Sinomine management earlier this week, MUN general secretary George Ampweya said the union remained unconvinced by assurances that the VSS is optional and falls outside the scope of Section 34 of the Labour Act. “The chief executive officer of Sinomine confirmed the VSS has been board-approved and is final. Accordingly, the union insists the matter falls under Section 34 and demands full involvement until its conclusion. Members, through their respective branches, remain firm in their opposition and are urged not to accept the VS in its current form,” he said. Sinomine has defended its decision, saying the VSS is a voluntary process and therefore does not require consultation with the union. The company recently announced a temporary suspension of smelting operations, citing global copper concentrate shortages and the need to reduce operating costs by as much as 40%. The smelter will be placed under care and maintenance, a move that threatens the livelihoods of hundreds of workers. Ampweya raised concern that the separation scheme may violate conditions set by the Namibia Competition Commission (NaCC) during Sinomine’s acquisition of Dundee Precious Metals last year. One such condition reportedly prohibited retrenchments for a specific period following the merger. In a formal objection lodged with the commission, the union called for urgent regulatory intervention, citing deteriorating conditions at the plant. “It is both telling and troubling that, while the Namibian worker sought protection from the regulatory authority, Capital responded with tea and gestures of hospitality. Any failure by the Competition Commission to act with urgency and integrity will speak volumes, and the truth, in that event, will be painfully self-evident,” Ampweya said. The MUN insisted that it must be fully involved in the process, warning that the consequences of inaction may further erode trust in institutional protections for workers.

#MUN #Sinomine #LaborRights #UnionStrong #VoluntarySeparation

Sinomine Copper Smelter to retrench 650 workers Over 650 workers at the Chinese-owned Sinomine Copper Smelter at Tsumeb will be laid off as the smelter temporarily suspends operations. Sinomine on Thursday announced that the smelter will be placed under care and maintenance due to challenging global market conditions. Company spokesperson Alina Garises said the company aims to reduce overall costs by 30 to 40% until the market improves. This is expected to send 650 workers home. “As a part of the restructuring process, a voluntary separation programme will be introduced for employees,” she added. Garises said the increased smelting capacity in major copper-producing regions has led to global overcapacity. She said this has caused a shortage of copper concentrate, which in turn has placed pressure on smelters around the world, including those in Namibia. “During this period, we will redirect our focus to key strategic projects that position us for long-term success,” said Garises. It appears the Chinese mining company is planning to retrench workers, despite a three-year no-retrenchment merger condition. Sinomine Resource Group took over Dundee Precious Metals in a merger last August. Authorising the merger last year, the Namibia Competition Commission (NaCC) set a number of conditions including that “there shall be no retrenchments of Namibian employees of the target undertaking as a result of the merger for three years post closing of the transaction”. NaCC spokesperson Dina Gowases says the commission was unaware of the planned cuts. “But should they happen and are found to be in violation of the set conditions, remedial sanctions would follow. There is a commitment to no retrenchments of Namibian employees for three years following the merger,” she says. The commission also stipulated that should the undertaking identify potential retrenchments, it should notify the commission one month before these retrenchments are due to be effected. The Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) has rejected the planned voluntary separation, describing it as a blatant disregard for workers’ rights. According to MUN general secretary George Ampweya, the plan is a tactic to bypass proper labour practices and reduce costs at the expense of workers. “The process is an assault on workers’ dignity and constitutional rights,” he says. In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, the union labelled the voluntary separation scheme as both flawed and contrary to the government’s public commitments to decent work and job security. “With hundreds of livelihoods at stake, MUN is demanding formal negotiations, transparency on restructuring plans, and an end to practices that erode hard-won labour protections. While companies may face financial pressure, people must remain the priority,” says Ampweya. Tsumeb constituency regional councillor Gottlieb Ndjendjela expresses dismay about the looming job losses. “This will send our people into the streets. It will affect their livelihoods, and the economy of Tsumeb as a town. These are people with kids, they have accounts and some of them live in company houses which they are still paying off. How will they do all that? It goes against the Swapo manifesto of creating jobs,” says Ndjendjela. Ndjendjela says the political leadership advised the company to negotiate salary cuts rather than cuts job or voluntary separation. Retrenchments at the smelter also happened under Dundee Precious Minerals where about 200 employees lost their jobs. The post Sinomine Copper Smelter to retrench 650 workers appeared first on The Namibian.

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Sinomine plans job cuts at Tsumeb smelter despite merger deal banning retrenchments Chinese mining company Sinomine plans to retrench workers at its Tsumeb smelter, despite a three-year no-retrenchment merger condition. Sinomine Resource Group took over Dundee Precious Metals (DPM) at the town in a merger last August. Authorising the merger last year, the Namibia Competition Commission (NaCC) set a number of conditions including that “there shall be no retrenchments of Namibian employees of the target undertaking as a result of the merger for three years post closing of the transaction”. Spokesperson Alina Garises on Thursday said the company is experiencing challenges and will be reducing costs, including retrenching workers. She said Sinomine chief executive Loggan Lou held a series of engagements with employees, government officials, and service providers to explain the company’s upcoming developments. Lou highlighted that increased smelting capacity in major copper-producing regions had resulted in substantial overcapacity. “This has led to a shortage of copper concentrate, placing pressure on smelters worldwide, including Tsumeb,” he said. “In response to these market conditions, Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter will temporarily pause copper smelting operations and place the plant under care and maintenance until the market improves,” Lou announced. He said to ensure sustainability and competitiveness, the company was targeting an overall cost reduction of 30% to 40%. “As part of this transition, a voluntary separation process for employees will commence,” the statement reads, without stipulating when the retrenchment process would start. However, according to the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN), of which the members attended the meeting with Lou, the retrenchment process was set to start on Friday. “Yesterday (Monday), management had a meeting with the union branch leadership where they were told the company would initiate a voluntary exit scheme on Friday,” MUN northern regional coordinator Reginald Kock said last Tuesday. “And the target is 40% of about 650 workers at the smelter,” he added. This was confirmed by MUN secretary general Fillepus Ampweya, who said the union would approach the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations on the issue. Kock said management had told the workers the human resources department would be available on Friday to guide them on the voluntary retrenchment process and how severance packages would be calculated. He said if retrenchments are implemented, it would be in violation of the conditions of last year’s merger. “The transaction is not even a year old. Its first anniversary is supposed to be in August,” Kock said. NaCC spokesperson Dina Gowases says the commission was not aware of the planned retrenchments. “But should they happen and are found to be in violation of the set conditions, remedial sanctions would follow. There is a commitment to no retrenchments of Namibian employees for three years following the merger,” she says. The commission also stipulated that should the undertaking identify potential retrenchments, it should notify the commission one month before these retrenchments are due to be effected. – email: matthew@namibian.com.na The post Sinomine plans job cuts at Tsumeb smelter despite merger deal banning retrenchments appeared first on The Namibian.

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