Covid-19 - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

JOHANNESBURG (REUTERS) – South Africa took its first shaky steps towards rolling back one of the world’s strictest Covid-19 lockdowns on Friday (May 1) as it sought to strike a delicate balance between containing the disease and reviving its battered economy. President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered most citizens to remain indoors and shuttered all but essential businesses five weeks ago as part of a response to the pandemic that has won praise from the World Health Organisation. South Africa has recorded 5,647 cases of the disease and 103 deaths out of a population… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Covid-19

DRC records 31 COVID-19 deaths

April 30, 2020May 2, 2020 arnbethnic

The Multi-Sector Committee to Combat Coronavirus Disease announced on Wednesday (April 29th) the death of a Covid-19 Patient making a total of 31 COVID-19 Deaths. The country has already had 500 positive cases after the confirmation of 9 new cases in Kinshasa. 485 cases have been recorded in Kinshasa alone, the epicentre of the disease. So far, 65 people have been declared cured. Read More Here

Covid-19 Mining in DRC

4 new Covid-19 cases confirmed in Lubumbashi in Nagorno-Katanga

April 30, 2020April 30, 2020 arnbethnic

Lubumbashi in the province of Katanga in DRC has just registered four new cases of Coronavirus, announced provincial Health Minister Joseph Nsambi. “We have had confirmation from the INRB, these are the contacts from the first case. They’re all taken care of. When the results are positive, quarantine is directly transformed into care,” he said. This brings the number of patients in this province to 5. All patients are quarantined at the Lubumbashi Isolation Centre, not far from Luano airport. The provincial authorities are urging the public to become aware… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Covid-19

Glencore Rescinds Mopani Closure & Appoints New Acting CEO

April 29, 2020April 30, 2020 Copperbelt Katanga News

Charles Sakanya, Chief Engineer has been appointed as Mopani Copper Mine acting CEO. Glencore will reverse its earlier decision to shut its Zambia subsidiary Mopani Copper Mines if it reaches an agreement with the Zambian government, the company said on Monday. Glencore wanted to shut the mine due to disruptions of its operations by the Coronavirus crisis and low copper prices, while the Mines Minister has said the company is “fishing” for ways to lay off workers, and 11 000 jobs could be at risk. Glencore’s announcement of the temporary… Read More Here

Covid-19 Mining in DRC

1st Case of COVID-19 in Haut Katanga – Lubumbashi & Kasumbalesa Lockdown

April 27, 2020April 27, 2020 arnbethnic

Lubumbashi in total lockdown on Tuesday, Kasumbalesa on Wednesday. Following the first case of Coronavirus detected in the Katanga province, the city of Lubumbashi will be in total lockdown on Tuesday April 28, 2020, then the followed by Kasumbalesa the next day Wednesday April 29, 2020. These two days will allow response teams to trace the contacts of the patient zero. To date, 21 people have been traced and identified, however, searches are continuing to locate the entire contact chain. Governor Jacques Kyabula announced the measures in a broadcast message.… Read More Here

Diamond Covid-19 International

Gem Diamonds to restart Letšeng mine despite lockdown

April 27, 2020April 27, 2020 arnbethnic

Gem Diamonds (LON:GEMD) said on Friday that the government of Lesotho has allowed it to resume operations at its Letšeng mine, even though the country is in lockdown until May 5. Letšeng is the world’s highest dollar per carat diamond mine. (Image from: Gem Diamonds’ presentation.) The Africa-focused diamond producer noted that the mine will reopen on April 27, following a phased ramp-up plan and in compliance with protocols for preventing the spread of covid-19. LESOTHO’S MINE WILL REOPEN ON APRIL 27, FOLLOWING A PHASED RAMP-UP PLAN, IN COMPLIANCE WITH PROTOCOLS FOR PREVENTING THE… Read More Here

Covid-19 Mining in DRC

Katanga Mining implements cash preserving measures at KCC

April 25, 2020April 25, 2020 Copperbelt Katanga News

Given the increased macro-economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Katanga Mining has implemented a number of measures to minimise cash outflows, while protecting value for when conditions improve at its 75%-owned subsidiary Kamoto Copper Company, which operates in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These measures include: Preserving cash flow through cost saving initiatives and operational efficiency improvements; Suspending certain discretionary activities and associated spend; Suspending certain capital expenditure not related to sustaining day-to-day operations or critical projects; Optimizing working capital levels; and Moratorium on hiring new staff. In addition to the… Read More Here

Covid-19 Mining in Zambia

World-class mines deploy resources to combat COVID-19 in Zambia

April 24, 2020April 24, 2020 arnbethnic

For almost three months, COVID-19 has devastated the healthcare systems of some of the world’s most developed countries, killing thousands of people every day since it spread from its epicentre in China in January. The virus’ 14-day incubation period means that it can quickly spread among unsuspecting, asymptomatic people, putting businesses with large workforces such as mining companies at particularly high risk. As Gertrude Musunka, Health Programs and Projects Advisor for Kansanshi Mining Plc and Kalumbila Minerals Limited (‘FQM Zambia’) put it, “It only takes one employee to bring an… Read More Here

Covid-19 Mining in Zambia

Zambian Mining firms seek government relief package

April 23, 2020April 24, 2020 Copperbelt Katanga News

The Zambia Chamber of Mines has urged the government to address the issues faced by mining companies amid the Covid-19 pandemic by engaging with the sector. Reuters cited the chamber as saying in a statement that it had submitted a three-phase economic plan to the government to manage the economic impact arising from the coronavirus. The statement reads, “Since then all mining industry stakeholders have been hoping that some significant stimulus measures would be instituted, as is being seen across the world. “This was with a view to providing some guidance to… Read More Here

Covid-19 Mining in DRC

DRC artisanal miners face uncertain future as Covid-19 disrupts market

April 23, 2020April 23, 2020 Copperbelt Katanga News

Vulnerable community representative organization Impact reports mounting concern for artisanal miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as Covid-19 begins to impact on this vulnerable group of people, with lower demand, price cuts and threats of violence. Impact has been closely following how Covid-19 is affecting the artisanal gold mining sector in the DRC, noting that it is “undeniable” that the entire artisanal gold supply chain, and the women and men that depend on artisanal mining, face grim days ahead. The organization is particularly concerned about the pandemic’s impact… Read More Here