Glencore helps communities through Covid-19

28th May 2020 By: Marleny Arnoldi - Deputy Editor Online

Glencore helps communities through Covid-19

Some food parcels that Glencore supplied to its host communities

Global diversified miner Glencore has responded to the societal needs that have arisen during the lockdown period in South Africa and has played an active role in assisting distressed communities affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Glencore South Africa’s two major businesses, Coal South Africa and Ferroalloys, have spent almost R23-million on social investment programmes since March 26.

“As our host communities continue to deal with challenges raised by this pandemic, and true to our ethos of progressing together, it remains our priority to assist with initiatives that truly make a difference in their lives.

Over the next few months, we will continue to roll out more initiatives, together with our partners, to help our communities through this pandemic,” says Glencore Coal CEO Murray Houston.

Funding has been contributed to various initiatives including the provision of screening and testing in communities; the supply of water tanks; access to e-learning programmes; mass fabric mask production and distribution; supply of goods aid; mass distribution of sanitisers and infrared thermometers; mobile toilets; and WiFi hotspots.

Glencore has also made provision of hospital equipment such as extra beds and protective personal equipment for health workers in local hospitals and clinics.

“Now more than ever, our communities need access to necessities such as clean water, hygiene products and medical equipment to protect them from infection and we will continue to do our part to provide these amenities where possible,” says Glencore Ferroalloys CEO Japie Fullard.

In South Africa, Glencore has chrome and vanadium operations in the Bushveld Complex and coal operations across Mpumalanga.