Coronavirus: Biggest metal industry in the world gears up to protect lives and jobs

Coronavirus: Biggest metal industry in the world gears up to protect lives and jobs

- Gold and platinum mines in South Africa are implementing measures to deal with the coronavirus before it claims lives and causes loss of jobs

- Two mines, Anglo American Platinum Limited and Sibanye Stillwater Limited have instituted temperature checks and other measures to detect the coronavirus

- The companies are also making flu shots available and taking a second look at their medical examinations

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The world’s biggest gold and platinum mines, both located in South Africa, are gearing up to limit the infection of the coronavirus.

The coronavirus has already disrupted economic activities all over the world and could cause further challenges in places where people operate in close proximity.

Mining firms such as Anglo American Platinum Limited and Sibanye Stillwater Limited have implemented a variety of measures such as temperature checks of employees and availability of services to determine one’s HIV status.

Coronavirus: Biggest metal industry in the world gears up to protect lives and jobs
A mine in South Africa Source: Bloomberg.com
Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Hope for a possible cure of the coronavirus leads to a boom in the world markets

Bloomberg.com reports that the companies are also distributing flu shots and overhauling medical examinations.

Both mines reportedly generate about $12 billion in sales every year and the metals rank among South Africa’s biggest exports.

YEN.com.gh has learned that the depth of the mines makes their operating conditions labour-intensive.

Beneath the earth’s surface, miners are exposed to hot and humid temperatures and some return to cramped hostels on the surface.

On Sunday, March 15, 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa declared a national state of disaster, as well as closing schools and banning large gatherings.

In other news, gold mining firms are hopeful of increased revenues as the coronavirus leads to a slowdown of economies around the world.

Industry players have expressed optimism that the price of gold would rise and make the commodity a preferred option for many people.

Players in the sector argue that there is the likelihood of increased returns because supply has fallen, making gold a preferred store of value compared to other stocks that have witnessed a reduction in prices.

Per a report by citibusinessnews.com, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Golden Star Resources, Andrew Wray, explained that gold holds its value and as such its price has remained strong.

READ ALSO: Coronavirus: ECA estimates that Africa has lost about $65 billion dollars so far

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