African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) said on April 2 that although South Africa has implemented a 21-day lockdown, ARM has obtained permission from South African authorities to load iron ore from two mines in the Assmang mine.

Assmang Mining is owned by ARM and Assore each with a 50% stake.

South Africa has implemented a national lockdown since March 26 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and acknowledged the importance of maintaining value-adding mining infrastructure, especially refineries and smelters, which cannot easily be switched on and off. These operations will continue to operate at reduced levels, using stockpiled ores or lower levels of mining production, while ensuring that due care is taken with preventative and monitoring measures to protect those staff.