‘15 mineworkers test positive for Covid-19’ 10 May 2020

Minerals and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe last week walked the path taken by at least one of the 15 mineworkers who tested positive for Covid-19 coronavirus. During his visit to Sibanye-Stillwater’s Batho Pele shaft in Rustenburg on Wednesday, Mantashe went through a step-by-step medical screening process which included his temperature and blood pressure being checked.

… The Minerals Council South Africa confirmed the positive cases in the mining industry to be at 15 countrywide. According to the information published by the council on its website, Gauteng was leading with five cases followed by Limpopo and North West which were both standing at four cases each. Mpumalanga and the Western Cape have recorded one case each. It was reported earlier in the week that a worker tested positive at Dwarsrivier chrome mine in Limpopo. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said the second worker tested positive on Wednesday just three days after the first one at the same mine.

… “We urge mines to continue to prioritise health and safety in adherence to the disaster management regulations as well as directions issued by the department. Employers must undertake rigorous screening, as well as testing of employees displaying Covid-19 symptoms. This is critical prior to ramping up of production, and will assist in containing the pandemic,” said departmental spokesperson Ayanda Shezi.