Navigating Covid-19

   

The global health crisis, Covid-19, has become the prevalent health challenge facing our employees and their families and communities at all our operations. Our robust health strategy has underpinned our leading response to managing Covid-19 at our operations.

In all the jurisdictions in which Implats operates, our leadership responded quickly and decisively in developing and implementing comprehensive response plans to safeguard and support employees and host communities.

The Group threw its full weight into supporting its communities in the face of the global pandemic, donating millions to disaster relief in South Africa and various other initiatives surrounding its operations in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Canada.

Implats focussed its efforts on supporting employees and host communities during this crisis, on education and awareness and non-pharmaceutical interventions to prevent the spread of the virus. These efforts have bolstered those of the governments in our host countries to help fight the spread of Covid-19 and assist those in need.

At a Group level, Implats donated R36 million to supporting South African communities: R26 million was channelled to the disaster response NGO, Gift of the Givers Foundation. The NGO delivered over 300 000 food parcels during the Covid-19 lockdown, supported more than 100 feeding centres and delivered PPE to over 200 clinics and hospitals around the country. The remaining R10 million was donated to South Africa’s Solidarity Fund, established to cushion the impact of the pandemic on South Africa’s most vulnerable citizens.

Group subsidiaries in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Canada have also stepped up their contributions during the pandemic: Impala Rustenburg committed R10 million to its surrounding communities; Marula  committed R4,07 million; Zimplats has spent US$172 307 on donations; and Impala Canada has spent C$102 000.

Over the past year, all Group operations initiated campaigns to equip employees, communities, schools and medical facilities to combat the virus and keep communities safe.