SA mining company set to restart some operations amid lockdown

The world’s largest platinum producer, Sibanye-Stillwater, has announced that it has received approval from the South African government to begin a limited amount of mining and processing from Tuesday. 

The announcement marks the first real sign that business restrictions in South Africa could soon be eased, after President Cyril Rampahosa imposed strict lockdown measures last month in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Mining is a key sector of South Africa’s economy and was already in crisis prior to the lockdown. 

The country’s central bank predicts hundreds of thousands of jobs will be lost, although some economists fear it could be more like millions. 

Sibanye-Stillwater said in a statement that its board and executive management would be donating one third of their salaries to a solidarity fund which the government has set up to help those worst affected by the economic impact of the virus.

Photo: Mining Magazine