The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr Gwede Mantashe (MP), today met with the leadership of the Minerals Council in Johannesburg, to receive an update on plans in place for the sector to adequately respond to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
This follows the briefing by the President of the Republic, HE Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday, wherein a comprehensive plan was outlined, detailing how the country will respond in the short to medium term.
The department’s health and safety inspectorate, working together with the mining companies and labour unions in the sector, are on high alert, and are testing the sector’s level of preparedness, with a focus on preventative control and managing any emerging risks for employees and communities in which mines operate.
Work in the industry began over a month ago after the World Health Organisation announced the outbreak, with a focus on preventative control, and managing any emerging risks.
A ten-point plan has been developed in line with the Department of Health (DoH) and National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) guidelines
The Department continues to engage with the sector on - among others - use of their medical facilities for the broader communities around mining operations, as well as the use of any safe and unoccupied housing facilities for quarantine, should the need arise.
Thus far no infections have been reported in the sector.
“Working together we have made great strides on the health and safety front in the sector. We are confident that our continued partnership to proactively manage the humanitarian and economic impact of this pandemic on the sector, will go a long way,” Minister Mantashe said.
Engagements between Government and the sector are ongoing.
For enquiries, kindly contact:
Nathi David Shabangu 073 852 1922 Media Liaison Officer – Ministry
Ayanda Shezi 082 308 1586 Head of Communications – Mineral Resources
Thandiwe Maimane 083 6457 837 Head of Communications – Energy
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Issued by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy