Mines begin the long, hard slog of getting production going again
But the logistics of getting 450,000 workers back in operation, with the added difficulties of Covid-19, is going to be a challenge
09 April 2020 - 10:30
When SA shut down its mining industry to contain the coronavirus, more than 450,000 workers were sent home in 24 hours. Getting them back will take much longer for the country’s gold and platinum miners.
Ramping up production at the world’s deepest mines could take three to four weeks as thousands of returning employees are screened for Covid-19, according to Johan Theron, a spokesperson for Impala Platinum (Implats). Workers will need to be checked for high temperatures, while social distancing and other measures are introduced to prevent the spread of the virus, he said...
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