AngloGold Ashanti, the South African based mining giant with operations across the globe, is shutting down mining operations across the globe in response to lockdown directives from the host countries.
In a release, the company noted that operations in Argentina, South Africa, and Brazil have shut down operations in compliance with national directives on lockdowns to stem the spread of (COVID-19).
“On March 21, 2020, following the Argentinian government’s decision to impose a nationwide lockdown (quarantine) until 31 March 2020, including temporary travel restrictions, border closings and suspension of most industries, Cerro Vanguardia S.A. (CVSA) was required to temporarily suspend mining activities.
On March 23, 2020, the South African government announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown, effective from midnight on 26 March 2020, resulting in the temporary suspension of mining activities of the company’s South African operations particularly Mponeng, and the partial suspension of mining activities at Mine Waste Solutions and Surface Operations.
On March 26, 2020, the State of Goiás, in Brazil, extended a set of restrictions on the operation of non-essential business, to include mining. These restrictions are set to run through 4 April 2020. Mineração Serra Grande S.A. will temporarily suspend its operations. In each case, the suspension of mining activities will continue for the period during which the respective restrictions remain in force,” the statement said.
Other operations still active
It added that the rest of AngloGold Ashanti’s mines in its diversified portfolio of 14 assets in nine countries, continue to operate. For the sites where production has been suspended, plans for a safe and smooth ramp-up, and for safely regaining part of the delayed production, are being developed, the statement noted.
“We have been proactive in positioning ourselves to respond to the impact of the outbreak,” said CEO Kelvin Dushnisky. “We will respond quickly and work in deep partnership with stakeholders whilst doing our part in fighting this global pandemic.”
Worries of prolonged closures
The pandemic, if prolonged, would have a wide range of impacts, including the direct consequences of the virus on the health of employees and communities, but also the consequent restrictions to travel and work put in place by governments to slow its spread.
“There would also be other consequences, including temporary mine site closures, and the reduced ability to effectively move people, supplies and equipment to sites amongst others. These may cause production interruptions or delays to projects. These risks are being continually evaluated and we have – and are developing — the necessary contingency plans to mitigate them.”
AngloGold Ashanti added that it has taken a number of proactive steps to protect employees, host communities and business, in line with the company’s values, guidelines and advice provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and with the requirements of the countries in which we operate. “The health and wellbeing of our employees and our host communities remains our key priority.”
A cross-functional team, including operations, technical, finance, health, community, government relations and other support disciplines, is helping to guide the response to the crisis.
The company has for some time employed increased screening and surveillance of employees, stopped non-essential travel, instituted mandatory quarantine for arriving travellers and increased hygiene awareness across its operations, in addition to a range of other measures to mitigate the risks presented by the virus. It has also worked with local communities to help bolster their responses to the outbreak. These initiatives have complemented government responses in each of its operating jurisdictions.
Sourcing supplies
As a precaution against the potential effects of the pandemic on the company’s ability to secure spares and consumables, the company noted that its supply chain teams have proactively placed orders to build increased safety stocks on critical items at our operations.
B&FT