AngloGold’s Mponeng mine confirms 164 coronavirus cases
According to the Gauteng Department of Health, 53 employees at AngloGold Ashanti’s Mponeng mine in the Merafong district have tested positive for Covid-19.
According to the latest update on the AngloGold Ashanti’s website, the number of positive cases has now been confirmed as 164, of which the vast majority are asymptomatic.
All positive cases will be isolated in line with national health protocols, with on-site facilities available for those who may need them. Mponeng uses electronic tracking of all people underground as a safety tool in the event missing miners have to be located. This system has been useful in quickly locating primary or close contacts.
The management of the mine has indicated that the underground production will remain closed until further notice, the department said.
MEC Bandile Masuku and the Gauteng health team will meet with the mine management on Sunday afternoon to receive a report. Additionally, a meeting is arranged between the West Rand District Health team and the mine team for Monday for further engagement and collective intervention.
Limited mining activities restarted in the country about a month ago.
In terms of lockdown regulations, employers are required to provide a workplace risk assessment plan that should include the provision of screening and testing facilities, sanitary and social distancing measures and measures to protect vulnerable employees.
Recently, Impala Platinum revealed that about 19 cases of Covid-19 had been detected at its Marula mine in Limpopo. The workers were asymptomatic, highlighting the challenges of both monitoring and preventing new infections in confined underground mining.
