Mines with high number of Covid-19 infections must close, says NUM
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is adamant that all mining operations with a high number of Covid-19 infections must be temporarily closed.
The union wants the mines to stop production until the situation is remedied.
AngloGold Ashanti’s Mponeng mine near Carletonville currently has 196 positive cases of Covid-19 and has temporarily shut, while the Moab Khutsong mine in Matlosana has ten positive cases.
The union's Livhuwani Mammburu says mining houses are not implementing the necessary safety protocols.
He believes this is proof that the union was correct in opposing the regulation which allowed mines to operate at 50% of capacity.
"There is now an outbreak of the virus in the mining industry and the infections are increasing at an alarming rate,” says Mammburu.
“Where is the regulatory department during this time of calamity in the mining industry?”
The union is adamant that all mines with a high number of Covid-19 infections must be temporarily closed.
"All workers must be paid 100% of their salaries during the temporary closure of the affected mines,” says Mammburu.
“All mine managers whose companies are not adhering to the Covid-19 regulations must be arrested. We will not allow a situation where our members and other workers are sacrificed for profits by these heartless and evil mining companies.”
ALSO READ
Gauteng mine closed as 164 mine workers test positive for Covid-19
The province had registered 2773 positive cases in total by Monday with 1899 recoveries and 29 deaths. A total of 103 people were receiving treatment at both public and private healthcare facilities.