https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2020/05/south-african-mine-closes-after-over-100-workers-test-positive-for-covid-19/_jcr_content/par/image.dynimg.full.q75.jpg/v1590377070716/GETTY_MINE_COVID_1120.jpg
The South African gold mine has now closed after a COVID-19 outbreak. Photo credit: Getty

South African mine closes after over 100 workers test positive for COVID-19

South Africa's Mponeng gold mine, the deepest in the world, has closed after reporting 164 new cases of COVID-19.

The mine's owner AngloGold Ashanti confirmed the temporary closure on Sunday after 650 workers were tested for the virus.

The mine had been closed during South Africa's nationwide lockdown on March 23, but had reopened at a 50 percent capacity in April, BBC reported.

Employees had reported feeling anxious and after one worker tested positive, AngloGold completed further testing.

"A comprehensive screening, contact tracing and testing programme has revealed several cases at the site in Merafong, in Gauteng Province," it said in a statement.

"AngloGold Ashanti conducted 650 tests since last Thursday, including primary contacts and many who wished to be tested on a voluntary basis. This process has indicated 164 positive cases with only a handful of tests left to process."

They say many of those who tested positive were asymptomatic which was concerning.

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The mine has now been closed as a "precautionary step" and AngloGold Ashanti are working with the Department of Health, Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, regional health authorities and labour unions.

The statement says the work site will be deep-cleaned and sanitised while contact tracing and the closure occurs.

The mine is located 75km south-west of Johannesburg and extends to a maximum of 4km below the earth's surface, BBC reported. It also has a tracking system in place for employees.

"Mponeng uses electronic tracking of all people underground as a safety tool in the event missing miners have to be located. This system has been useful in quickly locating primary, or close contacts."

South Africa currently has 22,500 confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to John Hopkins University data, and has recorded 429 related deaths.