World Gold Council COVID-19 statement
The global spread of COVID-19 has affected all of us in one way or another and many businesses and industries are having to adapt, including the gold mining industry.
The World Gold Council is committed to working with our Members - and other industry associations, including the International Council of Mining and Metals - to respond to COVID-19 and to support the employees and communities associated with gold and gold mining.
Protecting the health and wellbeing of employees, local communities and their families is paramount to our Members. Operating safely is deeply rooted in the culture of responsible gold miners. It is for this reason that in our Responsible Gold Mining Principles, we state that responsible miners will protect and promote the safety and occupational health of their workforce above all other priorities.
Our Members operate in a variety of different jurisdictions and some have decided to pause operations, given local government guidance or their assessment of the risks. Others have assessed the circumstances and determined that they can and should continue operating, given the essential role they play in the local community and within the broader economy.
Many of our Members are embarking on humanitarian initiatives and helping their host nations, from donating funds, launching screening tests to making mining hospitals available to support local communities.
The World Gold Council recognises and is proud of the role that our members play as responsible gold mining companies in supporting economic and social development in communities and countries across the world.
For more information about our Members’ responses please see below.
