AMN - Companies step-up to support COVID-19 efforts – comment by Yolanda Torrisi

Mining companies throughout Africa are doing what is necessary to adhere to local regulations aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 while also keeping operations going wherever possible, providing all-important employment and supporting the survival of local economies. It is tremendous to see many companies going above and beyond to support various relief and support measures being undertaken at national levels.

Across the length and breadth of Africa, various companies are donating to national relief efforts, giving goods to support the fight against COVID-19 and even providing facilities to house those suffering from the virus. This support is generally being provided by the larger companies that are in production but all miners are doing what they can to ensure the ongoing survival of the industry.

Teranga Gold provides an example of what all mining companies are doing to combat the spread of COVID-19 with president and CEO Richard Young saying: “The team has enhanced medical services at each mine site and ramped up infectious disease education, prevention, and management protocols across the company. Both [mines] have entered an isolation period and a team of national and expatriate staff have volunteered to stay on site beyond their normal rotations to run the operations. This measure, together with the many other precautionary directives already in place, is to protect both our staff and the local communities around our mines from the virus.”

In South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti has stepped up humanitarian efforts as part of its commitment to work with government at all levels and a range of other stakeholders. The company is working across several fronts to support healthcare providers, bolster community health and hygiene responses, and to provide relief to the most vulnerable in society.

AngloGold has made available two hospitals for provincial governments of the North West and Gauteng for the treatment and isolation of COVID-19 patients. One is the fully equipped, 270-bed West Vaal facility in North West province. Other support measures are donating masks from a local supplier; local manufacture of free-standing 1,000-litre water tanks which have been used on mine sites in West Africa for handwashing; distribution of 5,000 care parcels to the needy; procuring 27 electronic intensive-care beds for Soweto’s Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and providing and servicing 24 mobile toilets for that facility; and pledging R20 million to the Solidarity Response Fund.

Endeavour Mines is working closely with health authorities in the West African countries in which it operates. As well as sensitising local communities about measures taken by the Ivorian, Burkinabe and Malian governments, the company is supporting local community health centres around its mines by providing them with protective equipment, including hand sanitiser, hydro-alcoholic gel, gloves, masks, laser thermometers, etc. Endeavour is also supporting government campaigns by broadcasting awareness information in local languages on local radio stations.

Resolute Mining has committed more than US$1 million to support host governments in response efforts to combat the pandemic. The commitments consist of direct financial assistance as well as the sourcing and supply of vitally important Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), COVID-19 testing kits and other medical equipment. Major contributions to the special funds set up by the Mali and Senegal governments build on Resolute’s ongoing contribution of medical services and supplies to the communities surrounding the Syama Gold Mine in Mali and the Mako Gold Mine in Senegal.

Perseus Mining has donated US$387,500, including cash and goods, to assist host governments and host communities in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. Perseus is hopeful this assistance, particularly that which will be delivered to local health service providers, will help in maintaining the status quo with no cases reported by any employees or contractors operating at its projects. As far as the company knows, this also extends to host communities adjacent to those operations. CEO and managing director Jeff Quartermaine said: “We will be working closely with Ghanaian and Ivorian officials to ensure that our donations are directed to assist our host communities do all in their power to prevent the spread of the coronavirus."

Barrick Gold Corp has made major contributions to efforts in host countries where it operates – Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Tanzania, the DRC and Zambia. Of the Malian support, president and CEO Mark Bristow said Barrick, through its legacy company Randgold, had a 25-year partnership with the Malian government, not only in the development of its gold mining industry but also in the field of community health. The latter included its leadership of the industry in supplementing the neglected tropical disease programs in 2012, its role in combating the Ebola outbreak in 2014, and its ongoing collaboration with community health centres on immunisation programs. “That is why, in addition to the extensive preventative measures we have already introduced at our mines, we are making this contribution to the government’s fight against the pandemic. We are also providing significant assistance to the surrounding communities and at the regional level.”

In Mali Barrick has made a US$1.5 million donation to the government, which includes $426,000 for special equipment to strengthen the medical infrastructure regionally and in the communities around the company’s mines. The early payment of taxes is also being considered to assist the government financially. Bristow said: “Our financial strength, well-established prevention practices and procedures, and the experience we gained from dealing with two Ebola pandemics around our African operations, will stand us in good stead as we face this new and unprecedented challenge.”

The company has donated US$1.3 million in Côte d’Ivoire, which will be used for medical and social aid, including the provision of protective equipment and sanitary materials. $850,000 will be allocated at a national level, $320,000 at regional level and $135,000 to the district and communities around the Tongon mine.

In Senegal, country manager David Mbaye presented a cheque for US$972,000 to the government. This has been contributed jointly by Barrick and its West African logistics partner, CSTTAO. The company is supporting nine villages in its Bambadji permit area as well as the Saraya and Kedougou hospitals and will assist with the procurement and supply of personal protection equipment through CSTTAO. Of the amount donated, $850,000 will be allocated at a national level, $10,000 at a regional level, $55,000 will go to district and local communities and $57,000 to Kedougou hospital.

Twiga Minerals Corp, a JV between Barrick and the Tanzanian government, has announced a support program to assist the country. The company is contributing US$1.7 million in the form of critical equipment and expertise with $960,000 for the national level, $505,000 to the regional level and $250,000 to the local level. Barrick is concentrating its efforts and contributions on Mloganzila as an isolation unit for confirmed cases and the Mabibo hostel as a quarantine centre.  Regional support is focused on Musoma, Shinyanga and Geita where isolation centres will be created and equipped.

In the DRC, a US$1.5 million support program has been implemented, which includes the supply of critical equipment to the value of $632,000 at the national level, $488,000 at the provincial level and $380,000 at the local level. Barrick has been among the first to respond to the government’s launch of a National Solidarity Fund.

The company has presented a cheque for US$530,000 to Zambia’s Minister of Health, Minister of Mines & Mineral Development and Provincial Minister. This includes funding for the provision of medical equipment to the value of US$340,000 at the national level, US$100,000 for the North-Western province and US$90,000 for the Kalumbila district.

Yolanda Torrisi is Chairperson of The African Mining Network and comments on African mining issues and the growing global interest in the continent. Contact:yolanda@yolandatorrisi.com