Covid 19: Mines are the new hotspots

The rising number of people who test positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus in mines has put unions and mining companies on a collision course, with mining companies being accused of withholding information about infection rates and not caring about the health of employees.

Last week, Mponeng Gold Mine in Carletonville, Gauteng, reported 196 Covid-19 cases. It was forced to temporarily shut its doors and many of its workers have since been placed in quarantine facilities provided by the company.

In Limpopo, Sekhukhune district, which until recently had zero Covid-19 cases, has suddenly become the epicentre of infections in the province, following the re-opening of mines.