Mining Firms Call for International Support Against Ebola

Lagos — LEADING international mining firms have called on the international community to step up the fight against Ebola and welcomed President Barack Obama's statement on additional United States military support.

 

The companies are concerned about the impact of the Ebola virus on affected countries' economies and the well-being of their people, which is being compounded by subsequent decisions and actions that affect travel to and trade with the region.

 

"Our companies have made long term commitments to these countries and their people and we intend to honour that commitment. We have strong ties to hundreds of local communities that depend on our operations.

 

Despite the challenging environment, we are continuing where possible with normal operations, with the health and safety of our employees being the absolute priority at all times," read a joint statement.

 

African Mining Services, ArcelorMittal, Aureus Mining, Dawnus Group, Golden Veroleum, Hummingbird Resources, IAMGOLD Corporation, Randgold Resources, MonuRent, Newmont Mining Corporation and London Mining, signed the statement.

 

The companies said they recognised that a larger coordinated global effort is required.

 

"The global community has a strong track record in responding to natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes. We need a similar strength of resolve to tackle an epidemic that has the potential to cause great harm to this region. We therefore urge the international community to pool its resources and lend support to help reverse the virus and enable these countries to recover as swiftly as possible from dealing with the epidemic."

 

They said Sunday's declaration by Obama concerning US military support in the region was "exactly the type of action that was required."

 

 

 

By Okoro Chinedu

 

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Mining Firms Call for International Support Against Ebola