Webinar: The impacts of Covid-19 on Mining Regions and Cities

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and effected mining regions and cities in different ways. The mining sector, highly dependent on the commodity market, is especially exposed to external shocks, threatening jobs, income levels and living standards at the local level.

Mining regions are exposed on two fronts by the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. On the offer/production side, the lockdown measures hinder normal working conditions and inputs supply throughout the mining value chain as well as investments in specific security and distancing measures, which together can affect production levels. On the demand side, the global drop of manufacturing and construction activity can reduce the demand for minerals and metals, which may lead to disruptions in the value chain. These effects can particularly affect mining communities with low economic diversity, threatening local jobs and income.

This virtual discussion, organised by MIREU and the OECD, will explore the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on mining regions and the responses and opportunities emerging from this crisis. Mining regions may be exposed to the global economic downturn and must be prepared to respond to the effects on the income and welfare of their populations if they occur. This virtual discussion will serve as a platform to share experiences on the various mining regions and cities’ responses to the COVID-19 crisis (in the short and medium-term) and discuss opportunities to increase the resilience of mining communities for future shocks.

The meeting will take place on Zoom, please register here. Before attending the workshop the organisers ask that you complete a short survey on the impact of COVID-19 on mining and metallurgy regions, complete the survey here. 

The main topics of discussion will be:

• What is the impact on local mining economies and well-being during this crisis?
• What have been the different responses to face this crisis and keep well-being across mining regions?
• How to recover activities without leaving anyone behind in approaching new normality?
• What are the opportunities and actions to attain a resilient future in mining regions?