The WA Department of Health has confirmed two individual cases of COVID at mine sites in the state’s Pilbara and Mid West regions, with one of them being a rail worker at BHP’s Yandi iron ore mine.
Along with a 29Metals worker at a Yalgoo mine returning a positive result, the cases have forced almost 100 workers into isolation, as both companies follow all necessary procedures for close and casual contacts.
There are no indications operations have been affected at either mine.
The BHP contractor had been working in the miner’s rail team when they recorded a negative rapid antigen test before flying to Yandi, but started experiencing symptoms after arrival and returned a positive PCR test at an accommodation village.
A BHP spokesperson told the ABC the company was working with WA Health to conduct further contact tracing and was undertaking deep cleaning across the affected sites.
“The person is isolating at an accommodation village in line with government requirements and being provided with care and support while they await the results of further testing,” the spokesperson said.
Reports indicate 14 close contacts at Yandi are isolating for two weeks, with another 65 casual contacts currently in isolation until they return a negative test, while the case at 29Metals has sent 10 workers into two weeks of isolation.