The Covid-19 pandemic has brought the best out of mining companies. Innovative solutions are being devised, and new technologies are increasingly being tested and used.
Nico Muller, CEO of Implats. Image credit: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images
According to Nico Muller, CEO at Impala Platinum (Implats) the company’s management teams have implemented different cycles of work and staggered shift systems aimed at enabling the best possible precautionary measures against the spread of Covid-19.
“Through collaboration and co-operation between employees, union structures and management, we have created safer workplaces, and, a better-than-expected production performance across group operations in the final quarter of FY2020,” says Muller.
Meanwhile, Muller says that logistical constraints have eased and, despite the undeniable impact of the pandemic on global economic activity, demand for metal from our customers has remained robust, allowing Implats to capitalise on a reduction in excess inventory and a period of robust rand Platinum Group Metals (PGM) pricing.
“As the pandemic progresses in the coming months, we expect to face increasing challenges to our medical preparedness and operational resilience. The benefit of experience gained by our team over the past few months, together with the geographical diversification of our operational footprint and the strong financial position of the group, will prove vital to successfully navigating the expected variability in the near-term operating environment,” says Muller.