Newcrest suspends operations at Brucejack mine following “critical incident”

Australian gold miner Newcrest Mining said on Monday it was investigating a “critical incident” involving a team member from its Brucejack mine in British Columbia, Canada.

The individual belongs to its mining and development contractor for the project, Procon. Newcrest said it was working closely with Procon and the relevant authorities.

The company has suspended all mining and processing operations at the mine site.

Newcrest acquired Brucejack, which produces gold and silver, as part of its acquisition of Pretium Resources Inc this year.

Brucejack began commercial production in July 2017 and is one of the highest-grade operating gold mines in the world.

The project spans 1,200 square kilometers in the heart of British Columbia’s Golden Triangle, which has a 100-year mining history and also hosts the Red Chris, Eskay Creek and Snip mines. 

As of January 1, 2021, Brucejack’s Valley of the Kings deposit held a compliant proven and probable reserve base of 11.5 million tonnes grading 8.7 grams per tonne of gold and 9.8 grams per tonne silver, for 3.2 million ounces ad 3.6 million ounces of gold and silver metal, respectively.

(With files from Reuters)