Village Main Reef Ltd. agreed to a three-year wage deal with the National Union of Mineworkers, the United Associations of South Africa and Solidarity, according to a Minerals Council of South Africa statement dated Oct. 5.

The agreement includes yearly increases in basic wages for category four to eight employees of 575 South African rand per year. Miners, artisans and officials will receive increases of 4.25% for each year of the deal.

Underground entry-level employees will get a 7% increase in the first year of the deal.

In addition to basic wages, incremental increases in living-out allowances, medical benefits as well as severance pay will bring the total to 36,000 rand over the three-year period.

Meanwhile, negotiations between Sibanye Gold Ltd. and NUM, Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, UASA and Solidarity are ongoing under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.