Gwede Mantashe

Official funeral of the late Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Ms Bavelile Hlongwa at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban. 21/09/2019, Elmond Jiyane, GCIS

Caption 2

President Cyril Ramaphosa alongside the Hlongwa family and other mourners at official funeral of the late Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Ms Bavelile Hlongwa at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban. 21/09/2019, Elmond Jiyane, GCIS

Caption 3: Stage

President Cyril Ramphosa eulogizing the late Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Ms Bavelile Hlongwa during her official funeral at the Inkosi Ablert Luthuli International Convention Center in Durban. 21/09/2019, Elmond Jiyane, GCIS

COVID-19: 384 cases in the mining sector, Mantashe reveals

According to Gwede Mantashe, the number of people tested for COVID-19 in the mining industry is closing in on 5 000.

Gwede Mantashe

Official funeral of the late Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Ms Bavelile Hlongwa at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban. 21/09/2019, Elmond Jiyane, GCIS

Caption 2

President Cyril Ramaphosa alongside the Hlongwa family and other mourners at official funeral of the late Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Ms Bavelile Hlongwa at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban. 21/09/2019, Elmond Jiyane, GCIS

Caption 3: Stage

President Cyril Ramphosa eulogizing the late Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Ms Bavelile Hlongwa during her official funeral at the Inkosi Ablert Luthuli International Convention Center in Durban. 21/09/2019, Elmond Jiyane, GCIS

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has revealed that the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the mining sector now stands on 384.

The sector is one of the few to have had certain sections of operations opened throughout the lockdown.

Mining industry grappling with COVID-19

Several mine companies have reported outbreaks of the coronavirus in recent weeks, and the total number of infections was reported to be sitting below 200 on Wednesday.

“As of Thursday, 28 May 2020 – the mining industry had tested over 4 600 persons at mines, of which 384 tested COVID-19 positive,” Mantashe said during the economic cluster media briefing on Level 3 lockdown regulations.

“This means that of the 27 403 cases in South Africa, 384 are in mining. The more we test, the more we become aware of the extent of the problem and the location thereof.”

Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

He said that cases, where people test positive without showing any symptoms, have made things complicated, and require an intensified effort in screening and testing.

“We urge all mining operations to pull their resources together and share testing and quarantine facilities.”

Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Mining companies urged to protect workers

South Africa will enter into Alert Level 3 lockdown regulations from Monday, where more sectors of the economy are expected to return to operation, including mines.

“Prior to ramping up all mining operations are required to prepare and implement mandatory code of practice for the mitigation of management of COVID-19,” Mantashe added. “Failure to do so will be regarded as a criminal offence and a breach of mining’s safety act.”

Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Mantashe said this is to allow mining to operate safely, and added that after his department undertook unannounced visit, they discovered that not all mines were following safety procedure.

Mines that have recorded COVID-19 infections include Sibanye Stillwater, where 11 workers had tested positive by Monday, while Ango Gold recorded 196 cases – prompting it to temporarily close operations.