AngloGold Ashanti surface operations resume in South Africa
1 min read
AngloGold Ashanti is working closely with governments and civil society groups in each of its operating jurisdictions to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The company has been granted permission by the Department of Mineral Resources & Energy for the limited restart of its surface operations in South Africa, which have now recommenced operation on a limited basis.
This includes the processing of marginal ore dumps at the West Wits Operations and the reclamation of tailings at the Mine Waste Solutions business unit, in the Vaal River region.
The restart of these operations has been facilitated by about 500 employees, spread across both the West Wits and Vaal River regions.
This is less than a third of the usual staff complement for these business units, and roughly 8% of our total South Africa workforce. All sites have the requisite Covid-19 risk management plans in place.
The limited restart will help safeguard technical infrastructure and enable a safe and quick resumption of all remaining operations once the lockdown is over.
In 2019, the marginal ore dumps business produced 70,000oz at an all-in sustaining cost of $1,272/oz and Mine Waste Solutions produced 106,000oz at an AISC of $894/oz.
Production from the Mponeng underground operation remains suspended during the lockdown which is currently expected to continue to 30 April 2020.
This is now the only one of AngloGold Ashanti’s 14 operations where production is currently suspended.
About Author
