South Africa will close its mines for an unprecedented 21 days as part of a nationwide lockdown announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in a race to contain the coronavirus. The move provides a stark reminder of the severity of the developing health crisis in a nation whose economy was built on gold mining. While that industry has declined, South Africa accounts for 75% of the world’s platinum and 38% of palladium supply, and also produces minerals from gold and manganese to chrome and iron ore.
