Coal mines shall remain operating for the production of electricity despite the government’s 21-day lockdown to contain COVID-19 in Zimbabwe; Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando revealed yesterday.
The Minister also said that the exempted companies are obliged to observe the key principles of Statutory Instrument 83 (SI83), which is meant to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Ministry in consultation with the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Miners Federation, has developed a framework through which the mining industry, taking into account applications for specific exemptions, will implement the national lockdown,” Chitando said.
“The framework recognizes the said challenges and is meant to give immediate temporary relief whilst Government is considering applications from the respective mining companies.”
Mines are to apply for specific exemptions to continue operating during the lockdown that begins today according to the Mining Development Minister.
“Mining operations which face implementation challenges are requested to apply for partial exemption to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development through the Chamber of Mines and Zimbabwe Miners Federation,” Chitando said.
“The applications should indicate clearly the nature and modus of operation during the lockdown period and the measures which will be taken to safeguard employees and other stakeholders from the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus.”
“Once the application is lodged with the Chamber of Mines or Zimbabwe Miners Federation, the mining company in question may be allowed to continue operating pending a response from Government,” he went on.
Besides mining, agriculture is another industry that has been exempted from the current lockdown.
Zimbabwe currently has recorded one death from the COVID-19 that has affected over half a million people worldwide.
