COVID centre at Hutti Gold Mines campus soon; mining operations suspended

Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh R Nirani has already directed officials of the Hutti Gold Mines hospital to convert 40 of its 120 beds into oxygenated ones to cater to COVID-19 patients.

Hutti (Raichur):In view of addressing the medical needs of Hutti Gold Mines employees and people in the surrounding villages amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh R Nirani said a Covid care centre will be set up in the vicinity.

Nirani has instructed officials at the 120-bed Hutti Gold Mines Hospital, located at the camp site, to convert 40 of its beds into oxygenated ones to treat COVID-19 patients.

The minister said he is also considering setting up another Covid care centre at Hutti. He said he was mulling over two options. "The first option is to convert the community hall at Hutti Gold Mines into Covid care centre. The other option is to set up a Covid care centre at Kendriya Vidyalaya campus, which is far away from the Hutti camp site. In the second option, there are also protocol issues since Kendriya Vidyalaya is a is central government-controlled institution.

Nirani said he has been holding deliberations with the authorities concerned and would take a decision at the earliest.

Mining operations stalled

Announcing the suspension of gold mining operations in Hutti, Nirani said it was essential to protect the employees from contracting the virus.

"We have stopped mining operations in Hutti Gold Mines in order to protect our employees from COVID-19 pandemic. It would be very difficult for the miners and other staff members to maintain social distancing and other norms while carrying out mining operations in the underground and while commuting in the shaft. There are high chances of the employees contracting the virus. So, we have decided to temporarily stop operations. Our government is more concerned about their wellbeing than generating revenue at such a time," Nirani said.