As a result of separate actions by the Premier of Quebec and the President of South Africa to contain the spread of the coronavirus Rio Tinto plc (LON:RIO) will slow down some of its operations.
At Richards Bay Minerals in South Africa Rio Tinto will curtail production in compliance with a directive from the government aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus. A
As a result, all mining operations at RBM will be halted by midnight on 26 March for 21 days.
In line with the President's directive, Rio Tinto will make arrangements for the furnaces to be put on care and maintenance in order to avoid damage to their continuous operations. Resumption of the construction of the Zulti South project will be delayed. Separately, Anglo American is also considering its options, following the government order.
Meanwhile, in Canada, the Premier of Quebec has announced the closure of all non-essential businesses from midnight on 24 March 2020 to 13 April.
The Quebec government has designated industrial complexes including the aluminium sector and the mining industry as essential industries, but instructed that they must reduce their business activity to the minimum.