Mining firm Sibanye-Stillwater and the Minerals Council South Africa have condemned false reports of a confirmed Covid-19 case at a Sibanye-Stillwater operated mine in South Africa.

Sibanye-Stillwater called the claim a  “social media hoax” and confirmed none of its mine workers had yet contracted the virus. The Minerals Council stated that it would provide a daily update on its website if and when Covid-19 cases are confirmed at its members operations.

In a statement, Sibanye-Stillwater said the claim could have damaging consequences for the company as well as the wider mining industry. It intends to pursue legal action when the source of the false claim is traced.