IAMGOLD Corp. has recently provided an update on its Westwood Gold Mine in Quebec, Canada.
On 15 April 2020, Westwood commence its restart from care and maintenance status following the 13 April 2020 confirmation from the Quebec government that mining is an essential business activity. Westwood was placed on care and maintenance on 25 March 2020.
IAMGOLD is committed to ensuring the health and safety of its workforce, and will initiate a safe restart at Westwood in accordance with the standards set by the Quebec government, the Public Health Directorate and the Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (‘CNESST’ - the commission on workplace standards, fairness, health and safety) to limit the risk of the spread of COVID-19. Ramp-up activities will take approximately one week, with employees being trained on new procedures and sanitary measures, including adjusted work schedules and transport, physical distancing and protective equipment. Protecting the health and safety of our workforce is critical for the successful resumption of mining activities at Westwood. Accordingly, the company is undertaking additional measures to improve monitoring of the well-being of our workforce.
To limit the number of people on site, non-essential employees will be encouraged to work from home.