It’s no surprise to hear that not all essential workers work in hospitals. There are grocery store and hardware store employees, those who pack and ship all those online purchases, and even movers and construction workers navigating the pandemic the best they can. However, there are even more essential workers out there risking their lives for the betterment of the economy. With all the raw materials needed to continue to build, create, and manufacture, workers such as farmers, loggers, and especially miners continue to work amid the global pandemic to ensure everyday products we take for granted can be produced.

Hector Sosa Flores is the founder and CEO of Axios Group, a food commodity and precious metal dealer based in San Diego, California. Flores was born and raised in San Diego and attended Boston University where he studied political science and finance. He then studied international diplomacy in Madrid at Universidad Complutense de Madrid, went on to the San Diego School of Law to study comparative laws in cooperation with Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, then attended Harvard School of Business. Through all his schooling, Hector Sosa Flores discovered a niche market where he could bring his expertise in law, business, and finance to serve clients with honesty and integrity.

Precious Metal Industry Amid the Pandemic

Flores’ work trading precious metals and food commodities has allowed him special insight into the mining industry in South America during the pandemic, where his business partners continue to work despite rising numbers of COVID-19. “When the virus first reached South America, many mines were shut down as a precaution,” explains Flores. “Now that other economies are opening up, the pressure to produce raw materials such as gold, copper, and iron has increased.” As a result, many mines in South America have reopened and are operating under strict preventative measures in order to supply demanding markets.

“While China was in lockdown, the demand on mines in Chile and Peru in particular was reduced,” says Hector Sosa Flores. But, now that operations have resumed across seas, the need for materials has increased. Chile and Peru are the world’s largest producers of copper. They are also significant contributors to the world’s gold mining industry, which is almost always in high demand. In Peru, mineral exports account for nearly 60% of the country’s total shipments abroad, making mining an essential component of the country’s economy. Evidently, there is incentive to continue with mining operations across South America as China’s and other country’s factories roar into production once more.

Enhanced Safety Protocols

Just like in other industries, the mining sector in South America has implemented strict safety protocols to protect workers and staff from the virus. Hector Sosa Flores assures us that all the businesses he works with through Axios Group put their workers first by limiting the number of people on site to essential personnel only. Any workers experiencing symptoms are asked to stay home and in isolation. “Even workers who are at higher risk due to pre-existing conditions or who have family who are at higher risk are asked to stay home,” says Flores. Workers are also tested prior to entering the site to prevent an outbreak among miners.

As cases rise in many regions, other industries fear coronavirus will force mines to close down once again to prevent outbreaks. “The mining industry in South America is taking this health and safety threat very seriously,” says Hector Sosa Flores. “They are doing everything they can to stay in operation while maintaining a safe working environment.” The hope is that they will continue to be able to operate through this second wave of infections in order to supply the markets with the necessary raw materials. Without it, other countries will face shortages.

The Bottom Line

While miners may not be at the top of mind when we think of essential workers, they are certainly putting in the effort to keep economies moving. “They deserve our thanks too,” says Flores, pointing out that without them our economies would be struggling even more in manufacturing and other sectors as well.