In SA — the hardest hit of Anglo's operations because of a strict lockdown that started on March 27 that stopped the bulk of the country's mines — there are large production drops, worsened by the suspension of refining at 80% held Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) due to a critical failure at two key plants at the start of the year. On April 16, the state started easing operating conditions for mines, allowing a return of 50% of employees under strict conditions around health and measures to prevent the infection of workers and the spread of Covid-19. Kumba Iron Ore, majority owned by Anglo, will produce up to 4.5-million tonnes less ore in 2020, with its two open-pit mines in the Northern Cape working at half of normal staffing levels. Production levels were expected to start ramping up throughout May and into June.