Reducing mining equals reducing production
University Professor: Given that oil revenues have declined and the emphasis on generating revenue from other sources such as mining has increased, the role of companies and organizations that have entered the field of mining is important and key.
According to the International Iranian Stone Exhibition, mining is directly related to manpower and is not like other jobs where telework or machinery can replace workers. Given the prevalence of the Corona virus, some have suggested that labor in the mining sector could be at risk of transmitting the virus, and that mining should be considered a high-risk occupation.
It should be said that this situation is different in open and closed mines; This means that in most of the country's open-pit mines, workers work outdoors and are exposed to air currents. As such, these mines are not considered high-risk jobs against Corona. Factory space is also often large; Therefore, manpower can continue its activities by observing the social distance.
Among the types of mines, we can mention coal mines, which are underground and have a closed environment, so there are more health concerns in such mines. Of course, in this type of mines, distances have been observed from the very beginning of the corona outbreak, and miners have observed hygienic principles due to their sensitivity to this issue.
Given the declining oil revenues and the emphasis on generating revenue from other sources, such as mining, the role of companies and organizations that have entered the mining sector is crucial. In this way, mining can not be stopped under the pretext of the corona outbreak. Mining is one of the sources of income in the country, which has a wide impact on GDP. If the labor force in this sector is reduced and its activity is minimized, the country's economy will suffer a lot; In other words, reducing mining activity equals reducing production, which is not in the country's interest.
In this way, if each mineral unit pays attention to the principles of safety and health and emphasizes on social distance, it can definitely continue its activities without any problems. In the meantime, unit managers should be able to manage the issue well. It is by no means correct to define mines as high-risk jobs in the field of coronavirus, because, as we have said, they can continue to operate by following the health issues and protocols proposed.
Mohammad Hossein Basiri - University Professor - Samat
