Paladin Energy Ltd: Kayelekera Mine Intrusion by Ex-Employees
PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA -- (Marketwire) -- 02/11/13 -- Paladin Energy Ltd ("Paladin" or "the Company") (TSX: PDN)(ASX: PDN) wishes to comment on an online media report originating from Malawi suggesting that a group of recently retrenched employees forcibly entered the Kayelekera Mine on Thursday, 07 February, allegedly posing a threat to Company personnel and property. A group of 32 former employees did enter the Site last Thursday, seeking to complain principally over the decision by commercial banks in Malawi to withhold severance payments in respect of outstanding loans owed to the banks by some ex-employees.
Kayelekera management elected to meet the group, heard their grievances and provided individuals with letters addressed to relevant banks requesting sympathetic consideration of their situation. The group was then escorted from the Site. The situation remained peaceful throughout and the ex-employees presented no risk to personnel or property. They did not attempt to gain access to any secure area on the premises, which nevertheless went into lock-down mode as a precaution. Police reinforcements were called to the Site, but were not required. There was no adverse impact on the Kayelekera operations and production continued as scheduled.
In late January, a total of 110 national employees were retrenched from Kayelekera Mine as part of the cost reduction initiative across the whole Paladin Group announced by the Company in November 2012. Retrenchments were carried out in compliance with Malawi law and International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions. Affected employees received all due entitlements and termination packages exceeded minimum requirements.
ACN 061 681 098
Contacts:
Paladin Energy Ltd
John Borshoff
Managing Director/CEO
+61-8-9381-4366 or Mobile: +61-419-912-571
john.borshoff@paladinenergy.com.au
Paladin Energy Ltd
Greg Taylor
Investor Relations Contact
+1 905-337-7673 or Mobile: +1 416-605-5120 (Toronto)
greg.taylor@paladinenergy.com.au
www.paladinenergy.com.au