Gahcho Kué mine is gearing up to resume operations this weekend.
De Beers, in a press release, has said it changed its entire workforce “to break any possible chain of COVID-19 transmission.”
The new operational team is scheduled to fly into the site on Feb. 27 and begin the next day, says Terry Kruger, spokesperson for De Beers Group.
“We expect to fly about 180 people to Gahcho Kué on Saturday to join the 133 members of the essential services team,” he adds.
The new essential services team arrived at the mine on Feb. 23.
Kruger said De Beers is still waiting on the recommendations from two hygienists to review work protocols and on-site COVID-19 safety measures — expected to be completed on Feb. 27, before the new team arrives.
Daily health screenings, use of masks, physical distancing and rapid testing are just some of the measures in place at the mine to reduce the risk of exposure.
Additional measures will be added after the hygiene assessment is completed, reads the release.
Mine production has been suspended since Feb.6.
Out of the 19 confirmed cases at the mine, 15 have since recovered.
