The resumption of mining activities in South Africa will remain uncertain until the government decides whether to extend the current 21-day lockdown that ends on 16 April, the Minerals Council of South Africa (MCSA) said.
The industry body was responding to media reports on the resumption of mining operations after 16 April. This follows the MCSA's meeting yesterday with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) along with labour unions and other stakeholders to establish a way forward given the constraints resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Covid-19 disease is likely to be with us for some months yet, with some experts indicating an expected peak in June, the MCSA said.
The bulk of industry operations have been shut down for the lockdown period. Some coal operations have continued — such as those supplying state-owned utility Eskom and refiner Sasol's synfuels manufacturing, certain strategic exports, smelters and refineries, limited surface mining operations and care and maintenance activities. But all of these exemptions have been sanctioned by DMRE directives, the MCSA said.
The industry body expressed hope that the lockdown has helped to flatten the curve of South Africa's rate of Covid-19 infections, as early indicators seem to show.
South Africa reported its first coronavirus case on 5 March. Current confirmed cases stand at 1,845 and there have been 18 virus-related deaths.
"When we do resume operations as an industry, it will not be business as usual," the MCSA said.
Mining operations will be scaled up depending on if they are surface or underground and in line with appropriate restart procedures, it said. The ramp-up will also depend on the availability of employees and the nature of the spread of the epidemic in South Africa.
The industry's approach remains an integrated holistic view that recognises that "fighting this disease is a national and industry imperative", the MCSA said. The mining industry is a significant contributor to the economy and "we will seek to make our contribution as best we can in the new reality that we face", it said.
