Australian iron ore giant Rio Tinto has announced that it is continuing iron ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia while taking further measures to protect its employees and the community from the spread and impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
However, more than 1,200 employees at the miner’s two Pilbara sites - Yandicoogina and Greater Brockman - will work two weeks on followed by two weeks off. A similar implementation will be performed at the company’s other sites in the Pilbara. More than 3,500 people employees will be affected in total. The company aims to reduce the frequency of travel in and out of the Pilbara region, reducing existing working hours.
Rio Tinto also stated that it has committed an additional US$25 million globally to supporting community Covid-19 preparedness, response and recovery.