The news comes as more than 10% of mineworkers have now had COVID-19, according to the council's running tally as the country emerges from a third wave of infection.

The council is targeting an 80% vaccination uptake and has union support for its push, with the proviso getting a jab remains voluntary.

The industry has about 450,000 employees and member companies had vaccinated 105,927 as of August 17, the council said.

It said the figure included 946 healthcare workers vaccinated under the Sisonke programme but didn't count employees who got jabs at private and public facilities before workplace vaccination sites were opened.

There were currently 45 mine-based vaccination sites operating and 14 with accreditation pending.

CEO Roger Baxter said one of the council's smaller members had reported an 83% vaccination uptake and some of the larger companies were headed towards 50%.

"As an industry we have set an ambitious target to get 80% of employees and contractors vaccinated if sufficient doses of vaccines are made available to us," he said.

The council yesterday reported 46,979 total positive COVID-19 cases within the sector, with the number of active cases remaining above 1,000 at 1,080.

There have been 639 deaths.

The country has recorded more than 2.6 million cases and 78,377 deaths according to Johns Hopkins University today.