The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy yesterday met key stakeholders in the mining and energy industries to consolidate plans to deal with the spread of Covid- 19. This is in support of the decisive action by the President of the Republic, HE Cyril Ramaphosa, to institute a nationwide lockdown from 23:59pm on Thursday 26th March 2020.

Working together with the South African Petroleum Industry Association, the Minerals Council SA and in consultation with labour unions, we have developed a framework through which these industries will implement the envisaged directives.

This is being done in order to safeguard the lives of people, while ensuring that the limited economic activity which will be undertaken during this period is supported. In all our undertakings, we are considering the health, security as well as socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 on these industries. The industries will be required to prioritise the health and safety of employees, suppliers, contractors and other relevant personnel.

See attachments fro full speech.