Spokesperson for the Koffiefontein operation, Gert Klopper, reveals in a prompt response to queries that 29 employees have tested positive in the last two weeks, with only one having had fully recovered from the novel coronavirus thus far. This employee who recovered from the infection is back at work. 

The remaining 28 mineworkers  - classified as active cases - are at present quarantined either at home if they are asymptomatic or at designated Free State Health facilities if they are presenting symptoms. Klopper says contact tracing at the Free State mine has led them to 32 more employees, who are now self-isolating and monitoring the development of any symptoms. The Petra Diamond mine anticipates that 21 of the employees will return to work by late next week.

The rise in cases at the mine is reminiscent of the outbreak of cases in the North West. By mid June North West mines had reported over 1000 Covid-19 cases.

The OFM News team was alerted about the cases by an anonymous source, who at the time alleged that the mine was not taking all the necessary precautions to safeguard not only the health of the unaffected mine workers, but of the small town community at large. To this end, Klopper stresses that Petra Diamond as a whole has instituted “approved Mandatory Codes of Practice that govern the management of COVID-19 at mining operations”. 

This includes the daily screening of employees when they report for work via a temperature check and assessment of symptoms. He says should the assessment raise eyebrows, the employee in question gets referred to an onsite Occupational Medical Practitioner and gets tested, if necessary. In addition to this the necessary protective gear and sanitising materials are presently on site.

With regards to safeguarding the community’s health during this pandemic, Klopper says “Koffiefontein Diamond Mine has been instrumental in providing information on COVID-19 to the community since the first case was reported at the mine, and this is an ongoing initiative. In addition, the Mine has made PPE and cleaning materials available to various sectors in the community”.  

To date, the Free State has 16 875 active cases, and 154 confirmed deaths. The Xhariep District Municipality, under which Koffiefontein falls, constitutes a small number of the province’s overall cases, coming in behind Mangaung and Lejweleputswa which are now the provincial epicenters.

OFM News