As programs roll out internationally to vaccinate the world’s population against the COVID-19 virus, OceanaGold has released its position statement outlining its commitment to support governments’ keep communities protected.
As a responsible mining company, OceanaGold has released its position statement to support the global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines.
“We take our legal, ethical, moral and social responsibility extremely seriously,” said OceanaGold’s Health and Safety Manager Portia Weeks.
“We’ve had to act quickly to establish policies that keep our people – and the communities we work and live in – safe from the further-spread of COVID-19,” she said.
“This pandemic has not discriminated and has affected the lives and livelihoods of people around the world. As a company we will support our employees and stakeholders navigate widespread vaccination to establish herd immunity.”
OceanaGold has people and operations in six countries – the United States of America, New Zealand and the Philippines, where it has operating mines, and Australia, Canada and Singapore, where its offices are located – and is working with employees and governments to support vaccination programs that are equitable and accessible.
OceanaGold’s Executive Vice President, Sustainability, Sharon Flynn, said it was vital that effective and widespread vaccination programs were rolled out, to end the disruption and the damage to the global economy seen over the last 12 months.
“It will take all of us to end the loss of lives by working together with a truly risk-based approach, so the vulnerable groups are protected as a priority,” Sharon said.
The disparity between countries is quite considerable and it is our commitment to support the unique requirements of each government as they develop programs that meet the individual needs of their geographies and people,” she said.
“For example, in the Philippines the goal is for a ‘whole-of-society’ approach where the public and private sectors are coming together to deliver a unified and coordinated vaccination campaign. In the mining industry, a realignment of existing Social Development Management Programs and Safety and Health Program funds will assist remote communities access the vaccine. Programs like this directly align with our values and commitment to support equitable distribution.”
