Confirmed COVID-19 case on mine in Mpumalanga
The main visit was done to assess compliance by mining companies to the nationwide lockdown regulations and also used the visits to assess the implementation of the directive and guiding principles issued by the department to all mines
The Mpumalanga Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy conducted an unannounced visit to coal mines in Mpumalanga.
Mr Gwede Mantashe visited three mines in the district that supplies coal to Eskom on March 31.
The main visit was done to assess compliance by mining companies to the nationwide lockdown regulations and also used the visits to assess the implementation of the directive and guiding principles issued by the department to all mines.
These principles were issued on how to manage risks associated with COVID-19 at an operational level, in line with provisions in the Mine Health and Safety Act.
“All mines are required to, among others, conduct a risk-based assessment covering all workings at mines, reduce numbers of employees transported on common transport per shift, and where applicable, reduce the number of shifts per day,” the media release stated.
“The primary objective of our interventions is to ensure that as many people as possible are protected from COVID-19 and that the sector is able to bounce back from this challenge when the lockdown is lifted,” said Mantashe.
There are currently three confirmed cases of this virus in the mining and energy sectors which one is in Gauteng, one in Mpumalanga and one in the Western Cape.
“The mines are not at the same level in terms of their state of readiness to deal with the pandemic. We are encouraging all mines to work together – employers and labour unions to share best practice and ensure their systems are complementary in order to proactively manage risks beyond each mine,” Mantashe added.
The mines visited by Mantashe on March 31 were Glencore Impunzi Colliery, Exxaro’s Matla Coal and Seriti’s Kriel Colliery.
