(Bloomberg) --
Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd.'s head of its main operations in South Africa, Mark Munroe, appeared in court Friday for allegedly violating the country's lockdown regulations.
Munroe, the chief executive of the mining group's Rustenburg complex, was granted 60,000 rand ($3,200) bail, spokesman Johan Theron said. The charges relate to the company asking staff to report for work before amendments to regulations barring operations had been gazetted, he said.
The government on Thursday allowed mining companies to resume at half their normal capacity on condition they adhere to strict health protocols, including screening and testing workers for Covid-19. The easing of the restrictions on the industry came after as President Cyril Ramaphosa last week extended a 21-day lockdown to the end of the month.
Read More: South African Mines Reopen at 50% Capacity as Lockdown Eases (2)
The industry employs more than 450,000 people who are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus as many work in cramped shafts or close contact. Many also live in overcrowded hostels and shanty towns.
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