The rapid spread of Covid-19 infections amongst mine workers shows the economy’s unsustainable hunger for mineral resources and profits overrides the well-being of the human lives involved.

When the government bowed to the economic interests of big business and right wing political parties (such as the Democratic Alliance and Freedom Front Plus) and shifted down lockdown levers to level four, many industries were allowed to operate at 50% capacity. Among these, the mining sector opened production. 

Mining companies in South Africa are well known for their failure to comply with health and safety standards, historically exhibiting a disregard for the people who labour. When it comes to compliance under Covid-19 regulations, mining bosses, together with the government, had to be dragged to the Labour Court by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU). Whilst an important ruling was made where minimum guidelines to  contain the spread of the virus in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act) were issued by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE); they have not stopped the pandemic from reaching the shores of mining companies. 

In a recent press briefing given by the Minister of DMRE alongside economic cluster cabinet members, it was reported that some 384 persons in the mining sector have tested positive for the virus out of the 4600 tested. These cases have been reported to exist in Impala Platinum’s Marula Mine in Limpopo, Anglogold’s Mponeng mine in Merafong, and Moab Khutsong mine in Matlosana. With projections in South Africa already indicating that millions of people are likely to be infected towards the end of the year, and estimates that 40 000 people might succumb to this deadly virus, the dangers with the reopening of mines while the spate of infections continues to multiply must be taken seriously. 

A shift in gear down to alert level 3 means that mines will be allowed to operate at 100% capacity. Hundreds of thousands of workers will fully return to an industry that employs over 400 000 people. In the context of the mining industry, which is parasitic in nature and hardly considers the health and overall well-being of its employees, this reopening of production is a recipe for disaster. Already inhumane working conditions in the mining sector mean workers are at a high risk of catching the infection deep in the belly of the earth where they are crammed without possibilities of physical distancing and lack of hygiene measurements. 

The crises of the mining industry today

Today’s mining industry is an inheritance of colonialism and apartheid, a bastion of modern capitalism, where mineworkers are recruited from far-flung rural areas through agencies such as TEBA (The Employment Bureau of Africa from KwaTeba) to come and search for the precious minerals deep beneath the soil in the Northern parts of the country. TEBA was established after the second Anglo-Boer war in 1902. Its main aim was and continues to be the supply of cheap, black labour to the profiteering appetite of the capitalist bosses of the mining industry. The recent inhumane treatment by Harmony’s Kusasalethu mine where 66 mine workers were left stranded speaks volumes about this: Through TEBA, work permits were distributed to return to work in the mine as far away as Eastern Cape villages. Upon arrival, workers were told no work was available as the mine was already operating above 50% capacity in production. Workers were deserted and forced to live in appalling hostel conditions where no physical distancing exists.

Reopening of the mining sector lies not only inside workplaces, but in the deprived state of the living communities around it. Millions of working class people living near mining operations still do not have access to basic amenities such as water, proper sanitation and adequate housing. Already in a vulnerable position, dealing with the spread of Covid-19 exacerbates this when regular hand-washing, disinfection of the living environment and physical distancing are necessary. Additionally, toxic pollution and dumping by mining companies means that many people in the surrounding communities are already plagued by respiratory diseases, such as asthma, pneumonia, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic cough. 

Demanding a safe and secure environment

The minimum guidelines published by the DMRE do not deal with the necessary action to combat the spread of Covid-19 in mining communities. With no consultation having been made with the communities that have been exposed to significant health and environmental pollutants from the mines, the capitalist adrenaline rush to ramp up the opening of mines by using shortcuts will only lead to an exponential growth in cases. We must organise to ensure the following:

Pressure must be mounted on government and mining companies to halt all mining operations until widespread consultation with everyone affected has occurred. A joint operation between the DMRE and the Department of Health must provide a detailed plan on how mining communities will be given the necessary tools needed in this long fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Thorough risk assessment, disinfection of all mining workplaces, and adequate provision of all necessary personal protective equipment must be mandatory. Whilst efforts to screen employees before they go underground by mining companies are noted, it is important to be aware that Covid-19 sometimes does not immediately display symptoms. Therefore, universal testing of all mineworkers before starting work is imperative. Anything short of this is a prelude for disaster, and will result in an uncontrollable spread of the virus in both mining workplaces and communities. 

Stand in solidarity with  formerly employed elderly mine workers who are now pursuing mining companies to gain compensation for occupational ill-health and other unpaid benefits caused by working in the mines. Mobilising under the banner of the UnpaidBenefitsCampaign, many former workers have been condemned to occupational diseases such as silicosis and TB, whilst simultaneously suffering from extreme poverty.

We must not allow lessons taught during this pandemic about the importance of health and safety and decent working conditions in the mines go in vain. As the working class we must unite and organise to make sure a new normal emerges out of this moment, which will ensure mines are democratised workplaces where employees are paid living wages, work under safe and healthy conditions, and are involved in decisions relating to their lives. 

Issued by Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party