by Louise Maureen Simeon (The Philippine Star), 28 Oct 2020
Workers test positive for COVID-19
MANILA, Philippines — Philex Mining Corp. and Apex Mining Co. Inc. have suspended operations in their mine sites after some employees tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
In a regulatory filing, Pangilinan-led Philex said it temporarily suspended its underground operations for at least two days to implement measures to minimize the risk of community transmission among its employees and the community within the Padcal mine site in Tuba, Benguet.
Total positive cases are at 26, where most of the affected employees are from the underground mining operations.
Philex said employees were immediately isolated, quarantined and given medical assistance in accordance with the guidelines set by the government.
Some employees were isolated and quarantined in the medical and isolation facilities within the mine site, while some were sent to Baguio General Hospital for proper medical management.
Philex is now conducting mass testing on all of its 1,000 employees in Padcal.
Further, contact tracing has been implemented to identify employees and their dependents who may have had close contact with the COVID-19 positive individuals.
Apex has likewise suspended its operations in Sangilo after some employees tested positive for COVID-19.
In a regulatory filing, Apex said its Sangilo mine owned by its subsidiary Itogon-Suyoc Resources Inc. has been included in the localized lockdown order issued by the barangay chairman of Poblacion in Benguet.
As of Oct. 26, more than 80 COVID-19 positive cases have been recorded in the mine site.
Management is still awaiting all results of the swab tests conducted by the Rural Health Unit.
Apex said it has doubled up on its mitigation measures, disinfecting all the areas where the COVID cases were identified.
The mining firm’s containment facility is also ready to accommodate patients. Apex is seeking assistance from the local government unit to conduct mass testing among its employees in the mine site.
Operation will resume upon completion of contact tracing and swab testing, and only those with negative results will be allowed to return to work.
Apex has yet to determine the potential impact of COVID-related developments to its operations and financial results.
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth
Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
Last Week of April – World Immunization Week
Daily Observances:
Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work
