SA mines to close for three weeks in Covid-19 battle

Mine workers walk past the pit head at Sibanye Gold's Masimthembe shaft in Westonaria. Picture: REUTERS/MIKE HUTCHINGS

“The Minerals Council is also exploring what will be required to prevent the lockdown leading to permanent damage of the industry. There are marginal and loss-making mines that would likely be unable to re-open should they be required to close fully, without remedial measures,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

The PGM industry is, for example, dealing with a backlog of inventory that it has not smelted or refined, making this the ideal opportunity to process these already mined metals with relatively small staffing requirements.Coal mines, employing about 44,200 people, supply state-owned power utility Eskom fall under the definition of essential industries and will remain open.

“This is an unprecedented time in the history of the mining industry and our country. The health and safety of all South Africans must take precedence and, as such, we are committed to making decisions that will ensure the continued viability of our company,” said Harmony CEO Peter Steenkamp.

So the coal mines will operate

In these times, laboratories need A-Grade phosphates, or P²O⁵ and phosphoric acids. Will mines that produce such close as well? P²O⁵ is used in almost every consumable including in highlight 'MEDICINE'... Will such mines close as well?

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