Mine closing Longer?

Michael Alexander · January 07, 2009, 09:05:58 AM

Well, I know rumours are dangerous, especially if incorrect.... So I am not saying this is true, but somebody phoned me just know to say that they heard that the mine might want to close up until April..........

They were worried as they had heard that there was a chance of people not getting a salary if the mine closed...

Now , I did not say this, this was told to me, and the folks in the town are talking about this..... I feel that the mine should be issuing a weekly statement to the community during this difficult period, to avoid the rumour mill from churning out tall tales.....

Has anyone out there heard anything?

Michael Alexander · January 07, 2009, 11:15:52 AM

Well, another source had also heard this tale.... and just informed me......

One has to bear in mind that this is not just an Oranjemund crises, we just felt it sooner than other mines due to diamonds being a luxury item.....

The school is a worrying factor though, a large number of parents will not be able to afford to pay school fees......

The mine should place a moratorium on these fees..... education is important.....

If they need money to subsidize a few months of schooling, sell one of the older mine Vehicles, a bowl scrapper should keep the school going for a month or two.....

......

Bertie Horak · January 07, 2009, 02:01:44 PM

Wow, now you're really scaring me. Rumors had to start somewhere, and I don't think somebody would lie about something like this. I feel sorry for the Oranjemunders, looks like there's a lot of hard times ahead. But we're tough, hey!

Michael Alexander · January 07, 2009, 02:05:38 PM

Make no mistake, this may be affecting the mines right now, but there will be a ripple affect...... the mines in SOuthern Africa are one of the mainstays of the economy..... People in the cities are gonna feel this eventually........

Bertie Horak · January 07, 2009, 02:12:45 PM

Very true Mike, this could become v-e-e-e-r-y BIG. Far-reaching effects will definitely follow eventually.

Leon Sumter · January 07, 2009, 03:21:45 PM

one would think that the mighty Anglo/DeBeers/Namdeb group would have sufficient cash reserves to be able to fund the essential services, .i.e. hospital, school, etc for at least a few months whilst folk sort themselves out.

goofy · January 09, 2009, 08:35:48 AM

Hi All
Well its worrying even in the construction game and work is scarce for the new year, its even more worrying when my boss phones as to where the home affairs office is in Paarl to get his passport renewed.

Michael Alexander · January 09, 2009, 08:47:23 AM

There's no point in flying the coop and heading overseas.... this thing is international..... just watch the foreign news services to see how many jobs are being done away with..... I think Omund is a nice place to hisde away from it all...lotsa gemsboks down at the Golf course and plenty of fish in the river....

witch-43

Leon Sumter · January 09, 2009, 10:53:31 AM

so Mike you're saying you will be eating lots of Gemsbok biltong and freshly caught fish?

You're right, its pointless looking for work overseas, because they are also in major recession and South Africans are no longer welcome. In fact many are trying to get back to RSA.

Some major platinum mine is going to layoff 3500 workers very soon as well.

Apparently some foodstuffs are dropping in price I believe so this might be some small relief for those who are struggling at the moment.