20,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses donated to Lesotho

RNS Number : 4990A

Gem Diamonds Limited

02 June 2021

 

2 June 2021

GEM DIAMONDS LIMITED

("Gem Diamonds" or "the Company")

Donation of 20,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses to Lesotho

Gem Diamonds is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Letšeng Diamonds, in Lesotho has acquired 20,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine. The doses have been donated to the Government of Lesotho, and will be distributed according to the guidelines set out in the Government's vaccine roll out plan, as part of the Company's ongoing commitment to the Covid-19 pandemic response and infection prevention.

Gem Diamonds is proud of its longstanding partnership with the Government of Lesotho and has made a significant contribution to the national effort to control the spread of the virus, engaging extensively with the Ministry of Health.

In addition to the provision of these vaccine doses, Gem Diamonds has donated a modular unit for use as a testing laboratory and some 17 oxygen concentrator machines to ten hospitals and clinics throughout Lesotho. In the project communities, it has worked to raise community awareness and implemented measures such as the distribution of food parcels, seeds for sustainable vegetable crops and personal protective equipment, including masks, hand washing taps and hand sanitisers among local communities. 

Further information on the Group's effort to tackle Covid-19 as well as its Covid-19 scanning, testing and preventative measures and Sustainability policies can be found in the 2020 Sustainable Development Report:

https://www.gemdiamonds-reports.co.za/reports/sd-2021/pdf/gem-diamonds-sus-report-2020.pdf

The Prime Minister of Lesotho, Dr Moeketsi Majoro said:

"I would like to thank Letšeng Diamonds on behalf of the Basotho Nation for the generous financial contribution that they have made which shall be used for the purchase of 20,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine."

Gem Diamonds' CEO, Clifford Elphick, commented:

" Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been wholly committed to supporting Lesotho at a local and national level, as well as to protecting all of our employees and contractors. The donation of 20,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses to the people of Lesotho is another significant step in ensuring that Gem Diamonds continues to make a positive impact on the lives of the surrounding communities."

For further information:

Gem Diamonds

Susan Wallace, Company Secretarial department

[e-mail]

Celicourt Communications

Mark Antelme / Oliver Mills

Tel:  [phone]

The Gem Diamonds Limited LEI number is 213800RC2PGGMZQG8L67

About Gem Diamonds:

Gem Diamonds is a leading global diamond producer of high value diamonds. The Company owns 70% of the Letšeng mine in Lesotho. The Letšeng mine is famous for the production of large, top colour, exceptional white diamonds, making it the highest dollar per carat kimberlite diamond mine in the world.   www.gemdiamonds.com

 

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