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"Consultations have been initiated with the various trade unions to identify and investigate alternatives to alleviate the financial strain that the implemented policy will have on affected employees," Buffalo said yesterday.

It said it had successfully implemented measures allowing it to achieve the utilisation of 50% of its employees at its mining operations this week.

These included transport arrangements for employees, rigorous screening, testing and data collection, allowing some employees to work from home and providing quarantine facilities for employees who might test positive for COVID-19.

The Chief Inspector of Mines has been ordered by South Africa's Labour Court to gazette guidelines by May 18 for mining companies to implement a code of practice, after the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union sought binding measures to protect workers from the pandemic as the industry was allowed to ramp up.

Buffalo said it would continue to proactively measure and manage potential impacts of the Disaster Management Regulations and amendments on its operations.

It had warned in March the country's lockdown was expected to have a "considerable negative impact" on its operations in KwaZulu Natal.

The Minerals Council South Africa said yesterday there had been 10 COVID-19 cases among 329 mines and zero deaths, compared with the country's tally of 7,220 and 138 respectively.

Buffalo's share price was unchanged at C0.5c yesterday, capitalising it at $2.1 million (US$1.5 million).