Mines begin the long, hard slog of getting production going again

When SA shut down its mining industry to contain the coronavirus, more than 450,000 workers were sent home in 24 hours. Getting them back will take much longer for the country’s gold and platinum miners.

“Everybody in the industry is considering how to manage the situation around vulnerable workers,” said James Wellsted, a spokesperson for Sibanye-Stillwater, the country’s biggest platinum miner. Some mining companies plan to give vitamins and flu vaccines to HIV-positive workers and those with tuberculosis to boost their immunity.While vulnerable workers can be identified, the inability to test for Covid-19 will make it impossible to know who is infected, making it difficult to curb the spread of the virus.

“Its very complex because the mines are big and deep and there are lots of people,” Theron said. “There is a real risk of people contracting the virus, which is the last thing anybody wants.”The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union , has proposed working with mining companies and government officials to draw up a new code of practice for Covid-19, before production is restarted.

South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Department warns mines to comply - The Mail & GuardianEstimates hint that the scaling down of work in response to Covid-19 will result in a sharp drop in production in April and by 4.5% for the year Covid damage is inevitable. Gorvernments must venture into intensive farming. The state has to identify new farming sites. Abondone farms must be reactivated. A 5 year COVID damage farming recovery plan must be implemented to counter unemployment inflation must be control The COVID 19 economy recovery plan must, if possible, make way for fuel subsidies for emerging farmers. Exports producing farms must be the starting point. The mark of dump chicken and pricing must re-evaluated. Price collusion in the food sector must be investigated. What? Never! 🙄
Source: mailandguardian - 🏆 2. / 92 Read more »

Mines eye speeding up automation amid virus threatHowever, NUM says this does not pose an immediate threat to jobs, as it would take years to be established. VusiSambo And SA will have more unemployment , but machines don’t need a union or strike or take leave and work 24x7 ! The main issue stifling our growth : UNIONS
Source: TheCitizen_News - 🏆 6. / 75 Read more »

Afrimat gets profit boost from Demaneng iron ore mineThe group expects headline earnings per share in its year to end-February to rise as much as 58%
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »

Gauteng police commissioner condemns torching of schoolsSince the lockdown began, 22 Gauteng schools have been torched or broken into. Because condemning worked so well up to now right? SAPS condemns find perpetrators for once work But why people are burning our child schools
Source: TimesLIVE - 🏆 28. / 59 Read more »

Mines eye speeding up automation amid virus threatHowever, NUM says this does not pose an immediate threat to jobs, as it would take years to be established. VusiSambo And SA will have more unemployment , but machines don’t need a union or strike or take leave and work 24x7 ! The main issue stifling our growth : UNIONS
Source: TheCitizen_News - 🏆 6. / 75 Read more »

Welkom mayor apologises for ‘boesman’ slur in speech to troopsWelkom mayor Nkosinjani Speelman has apologised for a racially offensive word he used while addressing soldiers on the enforcing of lockdown rules in the mining town And he still has a job . The double standards of MYANC is astounding . When is he handing his resignation? Fuck that. Lock him up.
Source: TimesLIVE - 🏆 28. / 59 Read more »