Ok Tedi focuses on keeping Covid-19 out

OK Tedi Mining Ltd’s primary concern at this time is to keep the coronavirus out of the operations and its mining communities, says a senior official.
“While this is the case, Ok Tedi will operate as long as we can do so safely and economically,” chief executive officer Peter Graham told The National.
“We stopped workers coming on site on international flights early as a precautionary measure.
“All international travellers who have come to site since March 17 are self-isolating in their accommodations for 14 days.”
Graham said Ok Tedi’s workforce is partly fly-in/fly-out and partly residential.
“With the ban on domestic travel for 14 days from today, work crews will no longer be able to rotate on and off site.
“Since the government announcement last night, crews that were onsite have elected to stay on site, so the operations can continue for at least the next 14 days.
“We will review the situation thereafter in light of future constraints.
“At the moment, in terms of managing the potential spread of the virus, the main focus is on hygiene and social distancing.
“Special arrangements are in place for cleaning accommodations, messes, buses, aircraft, offices and gyms.”
Graham said there were also strict controls in the mess.