Operations have been halted at the world's deepest operational mine, in South Africa, after more than one-quarter of COVID-19 tests given to those who work there came back positive.
In this Tuesday, July 22, 2014, file photo, gold bars are stacked in a vault at the United States Mint, in West Point, N.Y. TORONTO -- Operations have been halted at the world's deepest operational mine after more than one-quarter of COVID-19 tests given to those who work there produced positive results.
The "vast majority" of those who tested positive had not shown any symptoms of COVID-19, the company said. Contract tracing has been taking place through data from an electronic tracking system normally used to locate miners who go missing. Operations at the mine had already been running at half-capacity as part of a gradual ramp-up after the government initially ordered all mines closed amid the pandemic.According to the company, everybody who tested positive will be placed in isolation as per South Africa's COVID-19 protocols, while "the workplace and key infrastructure" will undergo thorough cleaning.
Considered the world's deepest operational mine, Mponeng's current operations stretch as far as 3.4 kilometres below the surface although the mine itself extends beyond four kilometres down in total. AngloGold Ashantiand other parts of its South African portfolio to Harmony Gold in February, a few weeks before the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in the country.
Harmony reported May 20 that two employees of a contractor at its Kalgold mine, 300 kilometres west of Mponeng, had recentlyMany mines in Canada were also shut down as the COVID-19 risk grew, although normal activity has slowly been resuming at most in recent weeks, according toThere have been more than 22,500 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 429 related deaths reported in South Africa, according...
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Federal parties set to resume battle over future of Parliament during COVID-19The battle over the future of Parliament in the age of COVID-19 will resume in earnest Monday when a small group of MPs returns to the floor of the House of Commons to argue about the path forward.
Read more »
Nova Scotia reports 1 new COVID-19 case; 973 people recoveredNova Scotia announced one new case of COVID-19 on Sunday. The QEII Health Sciences Centre's microbiology lab completed 494 tests on Saturday. To date, Nova Scotia has 38,055 negative test results.
Read more »
Ford Says Anyone In Ontario Will Be Able To Get A COVID-19 TestMass testing is Ontario's best defence against the virus said Premier Doug Ford.
Read more »
Federal parties set to resume battle over future of Parliament during COVID-19The Liberals will seek to advance their proposal that the full resumption of Parliament be waived in favour of expanding the special COVID-19 committee
Read more »
B.C. employers worry about safety, cash flow, second wave in COVID-19 restartThe British Columbia government lifted operating restrictions placed on restaurants, pubs and some personal and health services, including hair stylists and dentists, on May 19
Read more »