This, as Impala Platinum Mine employees are expected to continue with their duties. The union's President, Joseph Mathunjwa, in a statement says it is of great concern that the mine claims some of their employees are essential workers and should report for duty during the lockdown. 

He says mineworkers work in a confined environment, which will make it impossible for them to practise social distancing. Mathunjwa says no stringent health and safety protocols have been announced by mining companies that directed employees to return to work whilst the country battles with the Coronavirus pandemic. While hundreds of Impala mineworkers had already started making their way to the Rustenburg-based mine, Mathunjwa has in a statement reiterated a call for the establishment of a national task team consisting of experts from the Health Department, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and mine companies, as well as union representatives, to ensure that mines adhere to Occupational Health and Safety standards and that plans are in place to protect workers returning to work amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

He highlighted that they can understand why certain coal mines, especially those suppling coal to Eskom, are declared essential service, but fails to understand why gold, diamonds and platinum mines are claiming to render essential services.

Mathunjwa says Amcu will continue engaging the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Mineral Resources on these concerns.

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