Employees at Northern Cape based Kumba Iron Ore mine have welcomed a wage increase agreement reached between the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and their employer. The agreement will see a once off payment of over the 25 thousand rand and an increase of between 8 and 10 percent. The fortunes of the mine have gradually improved over the past few years following the slump that hit the industry a few years ago, which saw many workers retrenched. According to NUM provincial co-ordinator, Lucas Phiri, the agreement will also see a guarantee to keep jobs at the mine for at least three years.