Mining union worried over the growing Covid-19 infections in the sector
NUM calling for compliance to health and safety measures within the mining industry.
With growing numbers of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the mining sector the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has raised concerns over the possibility of it becoming a hotspot in local transmissions.
NUM spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu said some mines in Limpopo have become hotspots “where the virus is spreading at an alarming rate”.
This as two big mines in Limpopo confirmed Covid-19 cases this week.
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Marula platinum mine has 19 confirmed cases and Dwarsrivier mine 30 confirmed positive cases of Covid-19 so far.
“NUM is extremely worried about the negative impact that Covid-19 will have in mining communities. It is clear that mining companies are not complying with Covid-19 regulations.
“The regulatory department must deal harshly with those mining companies that are not adhering to the regulations,” he said.
He said all mining companies in South Africa needed to adhere to health and safety measures in fighting the virus in their operations.
“NUM calls on its members to refuse to work in mines and operations where necessary strict measures are not put in place to protect them from the virus.
“We will not hesitate to name and shame mining companies that are not adhering to the strict health and safety measures in fighting the virus.”
This happens as the sector faces possible retrenchments after most mines did not fully operate for two months.
Energy and resources minister Gwede Mantashe instructed mines not to retrench workers during these tough economic times.
The mining sector currently operates at 50% workforce, under the government’s newly published health and safety regulations.
Mantashe said inspectors from the department would make unannounced visits to the mines to oversee compliance to the regulations.
On Monday, he said most mines were complying.
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