LOS EFECTOS DEL COVID-19 SOBRE EL EMPLEO EN LA MINERÍA

The document examines how COVID-19 disrupted mining operations, specifically affecting direct employment, contractors, and local suppliers. It highlights the vulnerability of underground mining and non-permanent workers, while noting that automation and 'essential service' designations mitigated some impacts. The report argues for a transition from general stimulus packages to sector-specific support, emphasizing the need for new health protocols, increased local sourcing to reduce global supply chain dependency, and investment in worker reskilling to prepare for future systemic shocks.

• The mining industry's impact on total national employment is relatively small, typically contributing between 1% and 2% of a country's total employment, though it is critical for remote areas where it may be the primary source of jobs and essential services.
• Employment risks vary across the mining lifecycle; the construction phase is more labor-intensive and relies heavily on contractors, making it more vulnerable to disruptions. For example, in Peru, the Quellaveco project saw at least 8,000 of 10,000 construction workers displaced during a 15-day quarantine.
• Underground mining operations faced higher risks of virus propagation due to the use of crowded elevators, leading some countries like South Africa and Poland to temporarily suspend these activities.
• The pandemic has accelerated a shift toward automation and the reduction of fly-in fly-out (FIFO) and drive-in drive-out (DIDO) models to mitigate travel restrictions and health risks, as seen in Australia's Pilbara region.
• Major mining companies significantly reduced capital expenditure for 2020: Glencore planned to reduce spending from USD 5.5 billion to between USD 4 and 4.5 billion, while Rio Tinto and Anglo American each cut forecasts by at least USD 1 billion.
• Local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the mining supply chain face high risks of insolvency due to reduced demand and smaller capital buffers, prompting governments in Argentina, Mexico, and Chile to implement specific support measures.

APA

Ramdoo, I. (2020). LOS EFECTOS DEL COVID-19 SOBRE EL EMPLEO EN LA MINERÍA. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-08/covid-19-employment-mining-es.pdf

Chicago

Ramdoo, Isabelle. LOS EFECTOS DEL COVID-19 SOBRE EL EMPLEO EN LA MINERÍA. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2020. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-08/covid-19-employment-mining-es.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Ramdoo |first1=Isabelle |title=LOS EFECTOS DEL COVID-19 SOBRE EL EMPLEO EN LA MINERÍA |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=June 2020 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-08/covid-19-employment-mining-es.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ramdoo2020los, author = {Ramdoo, Isabelle}, title = {{LOS EFECTOS DEL COVID-19 SOBRE EL EMPLEO EN LA MINERÍA}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2020}, month = jun, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-08/covid-19-employment-mining-es.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }