Minerals industry working together amidst COVID-19 crisis

Tania Constable, CEO of the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA), has released a statement detailing the Australian minerals industry’s decision to work together, to ensure its workforce is safe and healthy, and that mining remains strong and sustainable during the COVID-19 pandemic. The minerals sector will also take a range of measures to protect its workforce, families and communities from the spread of the virus.

The minerals industry will be stepping up to ensure that the mining industry continues to sustain the economy in a time of national crisis, while contributing to regional communities as a responsive and responsible partner. A meeting was also arranged between senior member company representatives from the MCA’s COVID-19 Working Group, and state associations, to discuss how the industry can work together to support the communities in which it operates, and share information to keep mine sites safe and producing.

The minerals industry is responsible for ensuring that vulnerable people in remote and regional communities are protected from the spread of COVID-19 as part of its contribution to health and wellbeing. Working Group members outlined a number of challenges, including workforce movement restrictions, pressure on infrastructure such as ports, rail networks and community health facilities, and medium-term equipment and consumables supply risks.

The minerals industry will continue to share best practice in relation to protective measures, workforce health and other areas in line with official advice. The Working Group also acknowledged the National Cabinet’s exemption of mine sites from its ban on gatherings of more than 100 people and the Prime Minister’s statements on panic buying, hoarding and the need for national unity, all of which affect regional communities.

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