While politicians debate on whether to implement the Mining Charter or not, Bokoni Platinum Mines have announced that they intend to retrench 2651 workers. This comes after AngloGold Ashanti confirmation that they will retrench 8 500 miners from three mines in the Free State. Given the research that says each mining job supports around 10 people, Xolani Gwala says that the thousands of people who will be effected by these job losses is devastating.