DUNDEE PRODUCES HAND SANITIZER

Photo Caption: Front and Centre… (Centre) Herbicious Tiyeho- Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb Senior Chemist: Quality Systems flanked by Patemasella Gawanas (left), Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb Graduate Chemist and Penoshinge Haitota, Chemist Quality Control and Quality Assurance (right).

Tsumeb | 1 April  2020

DPMT PRODUCES HAND SANITIZER FOR ITS EMPLOYEES TO FIGHT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19

In support of the Mining Industry’s efforts to fight the further spread of COVID-19 in the country, Dundee has started producing its own hand sanitizer as per the World Health Organization’s guidelines.

Although there is no confirmed case in the region or at its site to date, as a preventative measure to promote good hygiene, the hand sanitizers are placed at different strategic points for employees to use. Disinfecting hands can slow the spread of the coronavirus said Herbicious Tiyeho, Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb Senior Chemist: Quality Systems.

According to Tiyeho, the need to make hand sanitizers inhouse was triggered by the increased demand caused by the current pandemic of COVID-19. The pandemic lead to a depletion of stock in shops and pharmacies. 

By producing our own hand-sanitizer we can ensure employees will have it when they might not otherwise and free up more of the available commercial sanitizer supply so it can be directed toward hospitals, seniors’ homes and health care providers.

 “This is an example of what the world needs right now and is further proof that in these uncertain times, the more we can work together to help those affected by COVID-19 the better it will be for us all”, he stated. 

DPMT’s hand sanitizer meets the specifications set by The World Health Organization which recommends an alcohol content greater than 60% to effectively kill the microbes (viruses and bacteria). Hand sanitizers with alcohol content below 60% will not effectively kill the microbes.

Tiyeho urged employees and members of the community to be cautious when purchasing hand sanitizers online from third party sellers. “If someone is callous enough to try to make a profit off a pandemic, they might be callous enough to cut hand sanitizer with all sorts of chemicals. 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb has been closely following national safety instructions provided by authorities and has proactively introduced protocols to protect the health of its employees and contractors which includes ongoing awareness campaigns about COVID-19, increased frequency of cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces, site access controls including temporarily discontinuation of breathalyzers and work from home measures. 

Caption: Below, recipe for Hand rubs as per WHO recommendation:

Propanol 2/Iso propyl alcohol 99.8% = 75%

Hydrogen peroxide 3% = 4%

Glycerol 98% = 1%

Distilled Water = 19%

About Dundee Precious Metals

Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb (Pty) Limited (DPMT), is located in Tsumeb, Namibia approximately 430 km north of the capital city of Windhoek. The smelter was constructed in 1963 and is one of only a few in the world that can treat complex copper concentrates.

The smelter produces 98.5% pure copper blisters and with its ability to treat complex copper concentrates is transitioning from a captive smelter, receiving mainly Dundee concentrates into a toll treatment facility with brown-fields expansion potential.

Dundee is one of the largest employer in the Oshikoto region with a workforce of approximately 700 employees.