New Gold (TSX: NGD) said on Friday it had started a systematic ramp-up of its Rainy River gold mine in Ontario, Canada, following a two-week suspension period to comply with federal and provincial coronavirus guidelines.
The Toronto-based miner said operations will steadily ramp-up over the coming weeks with the overarching priority of ensuring the safest possible environment for all employees.
Rainy River is located 65 kilometres (about 40 miles) northwest of Fort Frances, near the border with Minnesota. Last year, it produced 257,000 ounces of gold.
New Gold said about 70% of the workforce is made up of local residents, who would be the ones called in to help resume operations.
Short trips across the border to Minnesota, a common practice before the current pandemic, won’t happen until further notice.
The mine’s management, New Gold added, will continue to work with surrounding indigenous and local communities to implement and coordinate actions that will reduce the risk of the spread of covid-19.
