ESG

Miners mourn another COVID-19-related death

The Minerals Council South Africa has added its voice to the tributes flowing for high-profile businessman Peter Matlare, who passed away on Sunday due to COVID-19 complications.

Staff reporter
 Peter Matlare. Image: Absa Group

Peter Matlare. Image: Absa Group

Matlare was the deputy CEO of bank Absa Group.

However he spent a number of his early years in the mining industry and at what was then known as the Chamber of Mines in the late 1990s, the council said.

CEO Roger Baxter said Matlare was remembered as a kind man, a very articulate, astute and capable leader who had worked in the chamber's communications and public affairs spheres.

Only COVID-19 halted further growth in his career and "his inestimable contribution" to the development and people of South Africa and the continent, he said.

Mineworker cases creep higher

Meanwhile the number of mineworker deaths due to COVID-19 has risen to 366, according to the latest figures from the council.

The industry's death toll was 307 a month ago.

The March 9 update said the sector had recorded 32,211 positive cases to date. The sector employs more than 474,000 people.

There were currently 237 active cases.

This was down from more than 2,000 active cases reported in mid-January as a more contagious variant of the virus swept through South Africa.

Miners have offered to help with the country's vaccine roll-out, however the government said last month it would pause the use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine after trial data showed it offered limited protection against mild and moderate disease caused by the variant.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Investor Sentiment Report 2024

Survey revealing the plans, priorities, and preferences of 120+ mining investors and their expectations for the sector in 2024.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Mining Equities Report 2023

Access an exclusive, inside look on the quarterly mining IPOs and secondary raisings data and mining equities performance tables with an annual Stock Exchange Comparisons supplement.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2023 (feat. MineHutte ratings)

A detailed analysis of mining investment risks across 121 jurisdictions globally, built on 11 ‘hard risk’ metrics and an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2023: Social licence

Gain insights into social licence trends and best practices from interviews with 20+ top mining company executives and an industrywide survey.