Kumba Iron Ore’s Sishen and Kolomela mines partnered with Local Municipalities to supply running water to their host communities
23 April, 2020
Kumba Iron Ore’s Northern Cape operations in collaboration with the local Municipalities and the Department of Health continue to prioritise the essential needs of communities during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
Sishen mine and Gamagara Municipality and other stakeholders such as Booysens Bore delivered two filled JoJo tanks with tap stations to Mapoteng informal settlement in Kathu on Sunday, 29 March 2020, this after the community raised concerns of not having access to running water during the 21-day lockdown period. Kolomela mine made two water bowsers available to the informal settlements in their host communities, to supply water. This is over and above the water supplied to the Sedibeng Water Board and Gamagara Municipality, enabling the sustained provision of water provision for the region.
One of the key precautions against the spread of COVID-19 is to improve on hygiene through washing hands with soap. With the lack of running water, this could be a problem for some of our communities. “Kolomela stepped in and donated 2,000 bars of soap to the local community for distribution to vulnerable households, these are currently being distributed by the Joint Operations Centre (JOC), which was established in Postmasburg in conjunction with the Local Tsantsabane municipality, SAPS, SANDF, Department of Health and other local businesses. Our collaboration aims to prevent the transmission of the virus and to ensure our communities are well informed and equipped to stay healthy and safe.” said George Benjamin, Public Affairs Manager at Kolomela mine.
Lihle Sibiya, Public Affairs Manager, for Sishen mine, explained the key role the mines play to help mitigate the spread of the virus and the impact it has on communities. “We are working with the local Municipalities and many other stakeholders to find solutions of lowering the safety, health and emotional impact COVID-19 will have on our communities.
These initiatives form part of Anglo American Regional Community Response plan. This plan is all about protecting our host communities, many of whom depend on us every day for a wide variety of essential services. Kumba has been providing food parcels, water for drinking, emergency services, support to health facilities, including FAMSA and enabling more effective screening in some areas within its host communities. The mines will ensure the tanks and bowsers are always filled up so that the communities do not run out of water.
Kumba encourages communities to play their part towards flattening the curve through practicing accepted levels of hygiene and social distancing.