Rio Tinto halts South Africa operations after killing, arson attacks
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Rio Tinto, Australia’s second-largest mining company, has suspended operations in South Africa’s Richards Bay and declared force majeure on customer contracts as security fears at the site intensify.
The decision comes after general manager Nico Swart was shot and killed on the way to work in May, becoming the third employee of Rio’s majority-owned Richards Bay Minerals to be killed since 2015.
Nico Swart, a 47-year-old father of two, was the third employee of Rio Tinto’s South African mine to be killed since 2015.
Problems in South Africa represent the latest challenge for the $185 billion miner, as it seeks to ensure safe operations across its sprawling global business.
Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe visited the mine on Thursday following last week s murder of Nico Swart, Richards Bay Minerals general manager for operational services.
Richards Bay Murder Latest: Premier calls for calm in KZN
The Richards Bay assassination followed “groundbreaking discussions” between RBM managers and Amakhosi regarding its latest R100bn investment
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has called for calm following the assassination of Richards Bay Mineral’s senior executive Nico Swart on Monday.
According to SAPS spokesperson Thembeka Mbele, Swart, who was general manager of operational services at RBM, died when gunmen opened fire on his vehicle, while he was driving to work in Richards Bay. More 20 high calibre bullets pummelled into his vehicle. Swart died at the scene of the crime.
The murder took place following what Zikalala described as recent “groundbreaking discussions” between RMB management and local Amakhosi regarding the firm’s latest investment in Zulti South which is projected to inject R100bn to the economy, as well issues regarding compensation to communities whose homes were damaged by RBM mining o