De Beers Owner to Require COVID-19 Vaccinations

London—Anglo American, the mining conglomerate that owns De Beers Group, has a policy in the works that will require anyone who enters its mining sites and offices worldwide to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Throughout the pandemic, the company has implemented health and testing measures and encouraged its employees to get vaccinated.

The measures included establishing its own vaccination centers where permitted, such as in South Africa, to make it easier for employees to get vaccinated.

“Requiring vaccination for access is the next step, given that vaccination is the best defense available,” Anglo American said in a statement to National Jeweler.

Anglo American operates in 15 countries worldwide, including the U.K., China, Australia and Botswana, and has 56 locations.

Looking to customize its approach in each country, the company is reaching out to employees and stakeholders and gathering feedback before crafting the policy.

“We expect there may be differences in exactly how and when the policy will be implemented across the group due to local contexts and legal requirements,” the company said in a statement.

Anglo America’s health lead, Dr. Elton Dorkin, wrote an opinion piece for South Africa’s “Business Day” about the company’s measures to combat COVID-19.

Dorkin said the company has been encouraging employees and members of the communities surrounding its operations to get the vaccine, and providing facts to help dispel any vaccine myths. 

He noted vaccines have been a part of life for more than 200 years, helping to eradicate and reduce diseases like tuberculosis, smallpox, polio, measles, mumps and rubella.

“We have a duty to maintain a healthy and safe workplace and we cannot allow the few to endanger the many,” wrote Dorkin.

“We have been open with our employees about the need to keep all options on the table as the pandemic evolves, and this now includes our intention to require full vaccination against COVID-19 for access to our sites and offices.”