Taboca, Minsur’s Brazilian subsidiary, has suspended operations due to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns.
Taboca suspended operations at both its Pitinga mine and São Paulo-based smelter on 25 March, conceding collective vacations to its employees. The move came after recommendations from the World Health Organisation and local authorities, and Taboca’s parent company – Minsur – did the same. Taboca will look to resume operations on 15 April.
“Taboca is taking all precautionary measures to put the health and safety of its workers first, even at the risk of delays on shipment”, a senior staff member told ITA.
São Paulo state authorities recommended “that the circulation of people within the State of São Paulo be limited to the immediate needs for food, health care and exercise of essential activities” in order to prevent the rapid spread of COVID-19.
São Paulo is a hotspot for COVID-19 infections in Brazil, with 41% of the country’s COVID-19 cases. Amazonas, where Taboca’s mine is located, has the third-highest infection rate in the country.
Taboca has become the fifth tin producing company to suspend operations to some degree. The world’s largest producer, PT Timah, also announced that it will reduce output by up to 30% in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
