The Ekapa Diamond Mine, located in the Northern Cape capital, says two of its employees underwent COVID-19 testing this past weekend after they exhibited symptoms last week. The workplace will now be disinfected and deep cleaned.

Ekapa General Manager, Howard Marsden, reveals that in addition to decontamination, they have initiated the process of tracing all contacts of the two employees. These contacts will also be tested for COVID-19 and placed in isolation. According to Marsden only one of the mineworkers is showing severe symptoms and has been hospitalised. Ekapa is of the view the two positive cases will not impact operational activities greatly.

“Most importantly though, at this stage, our two colleagues and their families are in our thoughts during the recovery process. We believe both of them will show resilience and resistance against the virus,” says Ekapa.

The diamond mining company has attributed the cases to the sharp rise in COVID-19 numbers in the Francis Baard region which includes the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality, under which Kimberley falls. The region has 247 total cases – 215 of which are found in the Sol Plaatje area – as well as 65 overall recoveries.  

The emergence of COVID-19 cases in the Northern Cape mining industry may elicit some concerns, especially when considering the situation in the neighbouring North West province. It has been estimated that about half of the reported coronavirus cases in the North West are in the mining industry. The North West has 5 162 active cases, thus far.

OFM News