As COVID-19 continues its worldwide disruption, some companies have become proactive about protecting their and their customers’ interests.
Century Aluminum is extending its labor contract for workers at its Hawesville, Kentucky smelter for a year. According to the company’s website, the facility employs 114 people and is the largest high purity aluminum producer on the continent. The company’s largest US plant, has an annual capacity of 250,000mt.
The company has not yet reduced activity at its plants due to COVID-19 but has developed contingency plans should the need arise. Century Aluminum also announced that it’s adopted measures to deal with the COVID-19 disruption, including lowering its cost structure, increasing liquidity, and ceasing discretionary spending.
Russian nickel producer, Nornickel has also adopted thorough measures intended to safeguard its business during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the creation of an emergency response team (ERT) to ensure operational continuity. The ERT will ensure Nornickel’s—which produces high-grade nickel, copper, platinum and palladium—production, procurement, sales, marketing, employee health and safety do not become compromised, the Moscow-based firm said in a statement.
The company is checking employees’ temperatures with thermal scanners in addition to requesting employees returning from business travel to self-quarantine. It is also implementing a remote working policy for employees at its regional sites.
In an effort to keep mining companies funded during the pandemic, Appian Capital Advisory has created a support fund for mining companies. The firm has earmarked $50-300mn for general financial support, as well as equity and bridge loans, and other credit vessels.