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BusinessLive reports that about two-thirds of mineworkers asked to return to work have done so, and it will take weeks before mines can reach 50% of capacity.
In a comprehensive briefing by the Minerals Council SA (previously called the Chamber of Mines), the mechanisms to bring mineworkers back to operations and the screening, testing and plans about isolating and quarantining those found with the Covid-19 virus were explained. Underground mines were shut on 27 March when the initial 21-day lockdown started; it was later extended to the end of April. About 30% of the 450,000 people employed in the industry remained at opencast mines, tailings operations, smelters and refineries as well as coal mines supplying Eskom and Sasol. The government allowed mines to return to 50% capacity from 16 April under strict controls about health and safety. The return of mineworkers from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal by buses contracted to mines hit a snag when minibus taxi operators threatened to stop and burn the buses, demanding they be given a role to play in the transport of people. It took the intervention of the police and the minerals ministry to resolve the matter. The Council has warned that some mines could be permanently closed. Its Motsamai Motlhamme drew attention to the retrenchment process started by Village Main Reef gold mining company to lay off more than 6,000 people, citing the compounded difficulties of the lockdown on an already struggling business.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Allan Seccombe at BusinessLive
- Read too, Morale high as Covid-masked South African miners get back to work, at Mining Weekly
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page