Ok Tedi mine suspended

THE Ok Tedi mine operation in Western has been suspended for 14 days to stop the spread of the Covid-19 in the area, says managing director and chief executive officer Musje Werror.
Seven people have been put in isolation at the Tabubil Hospital with one showing flu-like symptoms.
“The other six are currently asymptomatic. All seven are in isolation at the Tabubil Hospital with no further cases confirmed today (yesterday),” a company statement said.
It is believed a man who arrived in Kiunga from Port Moresby on Friday July 1 on a flight could have brought the virus.
“Unfortunately, one of the seven is an employee who caught the virus from a close contact of the Kiunga traveler,” it said.
“As a result, the company is strictly limiting the movement of people between its operational sites in Tabubil, Bige and Kiunga.”
The company is calling on airlines to suspend services to Kiunga.
To safeguard the health and safety of its employees, contractors and the community, the company announced a 14-day suspension of operations as of (Wednesday night). The company said it was “well positioned to withstand the financial impact of the 14-day suspension which is estimated to be around K100 million.”
Werror said the workers and the Tabubil community were responding positively to the additional control measures.
He said a decision to return to normal operations would be governed by the company’s “duty of care to its workforce”.
“Operations will resume when we are confident our workforce will not be infected with the virus while going about their work,” Werror said.