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50 signatures reached
To: Minister of the Department of Environment Forestry and Fisheries.
We urge ArcelorMittal SA to publish their Exit Plans
For years, there have been announcements that the steel mill faces challenges and might shut down its operations, and now they are set to close their New Castle and Vereeniging plants, but we have yet to see any Exit Plans from ArcelorMittal SA [1]. According to the Just Transition Framework published by the Department of Treasury, Chapter 32 explains how the Restorative Justice from historical industrial impacts should be addressed for Communities in the Frontline [2].
VEJA demands to see AMSA's exit plans before the Newcastle and Vereeniging plants are closed. Many AMSA workers have faced labour exploitation and occupational health issues caused by the steel mill, and we need to know that these issues will be addressed. We request proper exit plans and assurances that this process will be transparent.
ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) has been failing to comply with the National Environmental Management Act and has avoided accountability for the environmental damage it has caused in its host communities [3]. For over a decade, Arcelormittal has been non-compliant and has made no commitments to adhere to environmental laws or settle its debts.
VEJA demands to see AMSA's exit plans before the Newcastle and Vereeniging plants are closed. Many AMSA workers have faced labour exploitation and occupational health issues caused by the steel mill, and we need to know that these issues will be addressed. We request proper exit plans and assurances that this process will be transparent.
ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) has been failing to comply with the National Environmental Management Act and has avoided accountability for the environmental damage it has caused in its host communities [3]. For over a decade, Arcelormittal has been non-compliant and has made no commitments to adhere to environmental laws or settle its debts.
Why is this important?
ArcelorMittal South Africa is one of the largest steel producers in the world and among the oldest to have caused harm in communities near its large steel mill. Therefore, we expect them to address the harm they have caused and ensure that no further damage occurs to the communities they operate in after their exit.
According to the National Environmental Management Act and other trade legislative frameworks, a plant of the industrial magnitude of AMSA plants in this case is required by law to exit properly, undergo rehabilitation, and carry out outstanding compensations, which will include proper compensation of workers and ensuring that they do not leave the communities they are in in industrial ruin[4].
VEJA is seeking public support to demand proper Exit Plans from ArcelorMittal SA, ensuring Restorative Justice at all costs. ArcelorMittal Group makes billions of dollars annually without supporting its operations in the Global South, even though it has invested in better technologies to meet international standards and comply with the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. We call on the giant corporation to act voluntarily and adhere to international standards. If ArcelorMittal SA closes down, let them do so by the law.
If enough of us sign this petition, we can put enough pressure on Arcelor Mittal to commit to publishing its exit plans.
References
1. ArcelorMittal South Africa says on course to close long steel plants in September by Engineering News, 31 July 2025 https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/arcelormittal-south-africa-says-on-course-to-close-long-steel-plants-in-september-2025-07-31-1
2. Just Transition Framework by the Department of Treasury, https://pccommissionflo.imgix.net/uploads/images/22_PAPER_Framework-for-a-Just-Transition_revised_242.pdf
3. Activists push dirty steel giant ArcelorMittal SA to stop pollution and accelerate transition to green steel by Centre for Environmental Rights, 12 May 2022 https://cer.org.za/news/activists-push-dirty-steel-giant-arcelormittal-sa-to-stop-pollution-and-accelerate-transition-to-green-steel#:~:text=ArcelorMittal%20South%20Africa%20(AMSA)%20remains,finance%20even%20their%20mediocre%20commitments.
3. Activists push dirty steel giant ArcelorMittal SA to stop pollution and accelerate transition to green steel by Centre for Environmental Rights, 12 May 2022 https://cer.org.za/news/activists-push-dirty-steel-giant-arcelormittal-sa-to-stop-pollution-and-accelerate-transition-to-green-steel#:~:text=ArcelorMittal%20South%20Africa%20(AMSA)%20remains,finance%20even%20their%20mediocre%20commitments.
4. National Environmental Management Act https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/a107-98.pdf