Some South African mining companies say they are ready to support government in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines as the nation battles a surge in infections, the industry body said on Friday. Mining companies say they are well placed to support the COVID-19 response thanks to decades of experience combatting tuberculosis and HIV-AIDS among workers, including the creation of on-site treatment facilities. Sibanye Stillwater, one of South Africa’s largest precious-metals producers, offered to help the government’s vaccination campaign by inoculating hundreds of thousands of mineworkers and people living in communities near its operations. With around 233 COVID-19 deaths in the mining industry, according to Minerals Council statistics, unions have called on mining firms to help pay for vaccines. "They have been making huge profits, it's time for them to buy vaccines for their employees," said National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) spokesman Livhuwani Mamburu. Higher precious metals prices, including a surge in gold and rhodium, have made miners flush with cash.