Unions yesterday praised Kumba Iron Ore’s R2.6bn Envision employee share ownership plan (ESOP) as a model for empowerment to be used by the mining industry. The NUM’s Lesiba Seshoka said “We wish the entire mining industry takes a leaf from the scheme, not to copy it but to improve on it”, with Solidarity’s Louis Pretorius adding “They are now rewarding employees for loyalty, and we hope this model will be used in the future of mining as a reference point”.