Anglo American Platinum refers shareholders to the SENS announcement released on 24 March 2020, which notes the statement made by the President of the Republic of South Africa on 23 March in relation to a 21-day nationwide lockdown, to take effect at midnight on Thursday 26 March, in order to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa.
Anglo American Platinum remains unconditional about safety and the health and wellbeing of employees and contractors remains our core priority. The Company has started the controlled ramp down of its underground mining operations at Amandelbult, the Modikwa JV and the Kroondal JV, as well as the Mortimer smelter and Waterval smelter (which receives concentrate from those operations), in order to place them safely into care and maintenance for the period of the lockdown.
In line with South African government regulations, Anglo American Platinum has assessed the ability to continue some operations on a reduced basis. Subject to further planning, mining operations at the open-pit Mogalakwena mine, and at the mechanised Mototolo mine may continue on a reduced basis. Polokwane smelter will also operate to smelt this material into furnace matte. Following a thorough risk assessment to determine the safety of employees and contractors on site, additional safety, health and hygiene provisions have been put in place to protect the wellness of employees that will continue to work during the temporary shut-down period.
Critical care and maintenance work will continue at all operations and will include the ongoing repair of the Anglo Converter Plant (ACP) Phase B unit, to ensure the integrity of the assets, and prepare for a safe operational ramp-up. All required parts and equipment for the Phase B repair are on site and the estimated time for repair work remains 80 days, ending around 25 May 2020.
A number of specified essential services will also continue, including security; mine maintenance; tailings facility safety management; water treatment; community water supply; accommodation provision; health, safety and emergency response; and critical head office services.
Anglo American Platinum remains aware of the significant impact of the shutdown on its employees and has reached agreement to pay all employees basic salaries, housing allowance and continue with Company contributions to medical and pension funds throughout the 21-day lockdown period. In addition, the Company acknowledges the vital role our operations play in the local communities in which they operate, and we remain committed to providing services including the supply of potable water, healthcare, emergency response assistance and maintenance of civil infrastructure throughout the lockdown period. We will continue to see how we can further support our communities at this difficult time.
Anglo American Platinum has a clear responsibility to protect the integrity of our business and operations and will ensure a controlled and measured shutdown of the operations going into care and maintenance. It is critical that we are prepared for a safe start up once the lockdown restrictions are eased and return operations to normal levels as swiftly as possible to support economic recovery in South Africa.
27 March 2020