The Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) has announced guidelines that will include the spread of COVID-19 among mining employees and anyone else they come into contact with.
The guidelines outline adequate mechanisms to ventilate, de-densify, screen and test tunnels. Mining firms are also required to implement tracing programs, allow employees to work in shifts and provide relevant PPE among others.
In the mining sector Rwanda employs around 100,000 people.
The guidelines were developed after consultations with stakeholders and in line with existing covid-19 measures as set out by the Rwandan government.
“We request mining and quarry operators to act in accordance with these guidelines.We want to ensure that they are protected from infection in the workplace, and this will also help the community where they live. This virus is deadly but the good news is that it’s preventable.” said Hon. Francis Gatare, CEO of RMB.
The guidelines also stipulate that mining and quarry owners must put in place mechanisms for risk assessment to identify any risk or hazard to the safety and health of the mining activities.
The Guidelines support the existing code of practice for mining safety in the country. RMB aims to announce quick-win steps to handle the effect of covid-19 on the mining sector later this week.
