It is not redeployment as such, Mphathi is going on a development programme that will see him visiting a lot of mines around the world," Minerals, Energy and Water Resources Deputy Permanent Secretary, Kago Moshashane explained yesterday. Moshashane is a BCL board member. He said that Mphathi would be attached for a while within the Lion Ore group of mines - of which BCL is one - to familiarise himself with the operations of the mining group. Moshashane stressed that Mphathi will still be the BCL mine general manager except that he will be away for a period of about 12 months. Before leaving for his extensive programme, he will orientate acting general manager, C. Naude with the operations of the BCL mine. Naude is scheduled to start his three-month takeover programme today. "The new man should be there by Monday to meet all the BCL executive team while Mphathi is still there. In fact, within the next three months or so, Mphathi will assist the new GM to settle."
Reports say that on his return, Mphathi would be transferred from BCL since the board has promised to promote him. "He may not even have to come here for obvious reasons, unless if they could create a new post here for him," said an elated trade unionist on condition of anonymity. He stated that BCL workers will receive the news of Mphathi's departure with happiness. "Obviously, we have been worried about Mphathi as he would just fire workers without any mercy."
