Lockdown measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 are impacting on a wide range of commodities, with silver production currently the most severely damaged by mine shutdowns.

Data and analytics company GlobalData reports that, as of April 27, the equivalent of 65.8% of yearly global silver production was on hold, with silver companies such as First Majestic, Hochschild, Hecla and Endeavour Silver all withdrawing their production guidance for the year.

In addition, 32% of uranium production, 23.8% of zinc, 19.5% platinum, 14.6% of nickel, 14.4% of diamonds, and 12.7% of copper were placed on hold at April 27, says GlobalData mining analyst Vinneth Bajaj.

By April 27, a total of 729 mines were still on hold out of the more than 1 600 mines that were temporarily suspended at the beginning of the month as a result of actions to curb the spreading of Covid-19.

Progress has also been halted on 23 mines under construction, including the $5.3-billion Quellaveco copper mine in Peru, which is one of the world’s biggest copper mines currently under development. The project has a copper production capacity of up to 180 000 t/y and is expected to start operations by 2022. In Chile, while a lockdown is not in force, Antofagasta has halted work on its Los Pelambres project and Teck Resources has suspended work on the Quebrada Blanca Phase II mine.

GlobalData notes that 32 countries have passed partial or complete lockdown orders in March.

Currently, lockdowns remain in force in countries such as Peru (until May 10), Mexico (May 30), Bolivia (April 30) and Namibia (May 4).

In Canada’s Quebec, the government extended restrictions to May 4, however, it has allowed mines to reopen from April 15, as essential services, if they comply with strict measures to limit the spread of the virus.

Restrictions on mining in India, Argentina, Zimbabwe and South Africa have also been withdrawn, with mining seen as an essential service.