Great Panther provides update on COVID-19 and planned restart of Mexican operations
Published by Jessica Casey,
Editor
Global Mining Review,
Great Panther Mining Ltd has reported that its Tucano Gold Mine in Brazil continues to operate at full capacity with strict COVID-19 mitigation protocols in place, and has not been subject to any government-imposed restrictions in response to COVID-19. The company intends to restart operations in Mexico this month (May) in accordance with the Mexican federal government's announcements of the lifting of restrictions that have suspended mining operations in the country since the start of April.
Great Panther announces two additional employees and one contract employee have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the company-wide total to five. All affected employees are stable with mild symptoms and remain in isolation monitored by local health authorities.
At Tucano, three employees and one contractor have been diagnosed with COVID-19. As a precautionary measure, 62 employees have been placed on a 10-day leave and six employees have been placed in quarantine. Additionally, 28 individuals deemed high-risk due to age or pre-existing medical conditions, are now working remotely or on leave.
The Topia Mine in Mexico has not experienced any COVID-19 cases and the company is planning to commence start-up activities on 18 May 2020.
At the Guanajuato Mine Complex (GMC) in Mexico, one employee has been diagnosed with COVID-19. The employee was working remotely at the time of the diagnosis.
The restart of operations in Mexico will follow a phased approach based on health guidelines and government regulations in each jurisdiction with appropriate protocols in place to protect the health and safety of the company's workforce and communities.
In Peru, the federal government state of emergency and quarantine measures remain in effect until May 24, 2020. The Coricancha Mine is on care and maintenance and is not material to the company's operations. Great Panther places the safety and wellbeing of its personnel and communities as its highest priority and has implemented epidemic plans aligned with local health authorities and the World Health Organization guidelines at all its operations and offices. These protocols include:
- Employees able to work from home have been required to do so.
- All non-essential work and visits to mining operations have been suspended until further notice.
- Personnel and visitors arriving at sites are subject to medical screening and are required to complete a site-specific medical questionnaire.
- Operating rosters have been extended to allow for safer medical screening and isolation periods.
- Increased cleaning and sanitising procedures have been introduced, especially in frequently visited areas.
- Protocols have been introduced for the isolation, testing and care of employees showing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Mandatory physical distancing practices have been implemented in all working areas and for transportation services.
- Awareness campaigns to educate all employees, their families and local communities on preventive measures and hygiene best practices continue regularly.
Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/13052020/great-panther-provides-update-on-covid-19-and-planned-restart-of-mexican-operations/
You might also like
Fortescue signs green equipment partnership with Liebherr
Fortescue has signed a US$2.8 billion green equipment partnership with Liebherr for zero-emission mining solutions.