Anglo American on operating during lockdown: 'We care for workers and the economy' 1 April 2020

Anglo American has defended its decision to continue operations at its Kumba Iron Ore Sishen mine in the Northern Cape during the national lockdown. This after the company was criticised by the EFF for putting its workers at risk of contracting Covid-19. Company spokesperson Sinah Phochana said Anglo American was not in contravention of any lockdown regulations, having been granted exemption by minister Gwede Mantashe. Moreover, she said, the company would be operating with only half its staff complement and had put in place the necessary safety and health measures to protect its employees. The company's contribution to the province's economy should not be understated, she said.

…“Our priority is the safety, health and wellbeing of our employees, contractors and host communities,” she said. “We are deeply aware of how much our communities depend on us and that we have an obligation to consider them in everything we do. “The department of mineral resources & energy and energy granted us the exemption, allowing us to continue mining with a reduced workforce, because Kumba places the safety and health of our employees first and follows best-practice health and sanitation protocols.”

…“While our operations deliver vital tax revenue for government, because we are by far the largest private employer in the Northern Cape province and supporter of local business, the towns depend to a very large degree on our operations continuing — even in reduced form. “Kumba is a catalyst for economic development in the Northern Cape and contributes significantly to the fiscus, including R10bn in taxes and royalties paid last year.”