Two resources workers were physically confined after discovered to be infected.
South32 confirmed two workers tested positive to coronavirus (COVID-19) at the Groote Eylandt Mine, about 640km west of Darwin.
Both individuals had already reached the work site when authorities later transported them to the Manigurr-Ma Camp for isolation in Howard Springs. Whether the two cases were related, or infected separately before arriving at the mine, was unknown at the time of publication.
“A small number of people, deemed to be close contacts, are in isolation on Groote Eylandt and will undergo polymerase chain reaction testing at the direction of the Northern Territory government,” a company representative said according to News Limited. “Operations are continuing under controls and protocols designed to protect the Groote Eylandt community and our workforce from COVID-19.”
Although NT Health Minister Natasha Fyles revealed the pair in question did not socialise with colleagues, the employer is still holding talks with local Indigenous Australian populations that are still mostly unvaccinated.
“We are working with the Anindilyakwa Land Council to ensure the community is informed with the latest advice and information regarding the positive COVID-19 cases,” South32 said. “Our priority is to protect the health and wellbeing of Groote Eylandt’s communities and our workforce.”
Related articles
Outbreak forces coal workers into isolation
Mining giant flags vaccine mandate across all mine sites
Mining giant loses Fair Work dispute on COVID vaccine mandate
Employers introduce COVID vaccine mandates.
Add Comment