Sepon Mine is declared a green zone in Savannakhet Province.

[ASEAN NOW]

 

After more than 30 days with no signs of Covid-19 infection on site, Savannakhet Province has proclaimed Sepon Mine a green zone.

 

In an outbreak discovered on August 22, 33 people tested positive for Covid-19, including 25 contractors and eight LXML staff. Many cases were found off-site using LXML's Covid-19 testing and quarantine processes, and all cases were tracked to the original source of contamination using transport contractors.

 

People who tested positive for Covid-19 were placed in recognized treatment facilities, and after 14 days of confinement at a government quarantine center and 14 days at home, they have all recovered and been safely discharged.

 

LXML has done approximately 12,349 Covid-19 testing on LXML personnel and contractors since the first cases were found, with no further evidence of positive cases. For local communities, LXML has also supplied Covid-19 tests.

 

To promptly identify the source of dissemination and isolate probable cases, LXML implemented tight cleanliness, quarantine, tracking, and testing measures coordinated with government preventative regulations.

 

To avoid the spread of the virus, the corporation quickly implemented a site lockdown and worked closely with authorities at the district, provincial, and national levels, as well as local contractors.

 

Approximately 5,000 LXML contractors and workers have been properly vaccinated against Covid-19 thanks to the cooperation of the Savannakhet Provincial Health Department. Access to the Sepon facility, as well as the Vientiane and Savannakhet offices, now requires a vaccination certificate.

 

LXML is committed to enhancing ability to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in close collaboration with the Lao government. LXML has supplied Vilabouly District with Covid-19 test kits, equipment, and financial support in order to create a field hospital, and Savannakhet Province with a PCR machine and related equipment in order to help the province's efforts to safeguard the population from Covid-19.

 

LXML has so far contributed USD 450,000 to the Lao government's COVID-19 preventative and response initiatives.

 

Since its inception in 2003, LXML has provided the Lao government with over USD 1.5 billion in direct revenue, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars in indirect benefits through community development, employment, training, and support for local businesses in Savannakhet Province and throughout Laos.