Impala halts production at Marula mine

JOHANNESBURG – Impala Platinum (Implats) has warned that the prevalence of Covid-19 in communities surrounding its Marula mine in Limpopo is higher than it previously expected as it confirmed that 19 cases of the virus were detected at and around the mine.

Impala, one of the world’s biggest platinum producers, which operates mines in South Africa and Zimbabwe, said on Saturday that a cluster of positive Covid-19 cases had been detected at and around Marula following comprehensive screening, testing and tracing protocols.

“Significantly, 17 of the confirmed cases reside locally, suggesting the prevalence of Covid-19 among local communities is far higher than the company’s initial estimates had indicated,” said the company.

Impala said the cases included 14 employees who were returning to work, although none of these employees had started work at the mine. It said that a local health provider and four mine-employed health providers working at the mine clinic also tested positive for the pandemic.

The company said it had temporarily halted operations at Marula.