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OceanaGold provides COVID-19 operational update

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Global Mining Review,


OceanaGold informs that at midnight 28 April 2020, the New Zealand government decreased the country’s COVID-19 alert level from alert level four, where only essential businesses and work is permitted, to alert level three, at which additional businesses can resume operating if they can demonstrate required safe operating practices.

The company is well prepared to operate under alert level three and has clearly demonstrated this through its strict health and hygiene protocols and safe operating practices at Macraes and Waihi.

At Waihi, the development of the Martha Underground, along with regional exploration activities, have resumed while adhering to the required safe practices. At Macraes, the company has resumed mining and processing activities under strict and safe operating practices.

All administrative staff and other employees that can work from home will continue to do so for the duration of the level three alert period. Any of the company’s employees or contractors with underlying health concerns, or those deemed at risk, will remain at home until it can be established that it is safe and appropriate under government guidelines to return to work.

As a result of these changes, and with Haile operating at full capacity, the company reaffirms its 2020 guidance.

Michael Holmes, President and CEO of OceanaGold, said: “We continue to recognise and support the New Zealand government’s strong action to stop the spread of COVID-19. The health and wellbeing of our workforce is paramount and the safe working practices at both the Waihi and Macraes operations align well with the government’s directives.”

“At OceanaGold, safe operating practices include effective health screening procedures, physical distancing, contact tracing and restricted site access to essential employees and contractors only. With these strict protocols in place, we have resumed mining and processing at Macraes and development of the Martha Underground.”

“We continue to be focused on managing the near-term risks while executing on our operational plans, working with the Philippine government to renew our FTAA and resume operations at Didipio, and advancing our solid pipeline of organic growth opportunities including the Martha Underground. Our ongoing capital investments in New Zealand will not only create long-term value for our shareholders but will also create jobs and significant regional socio-economic benefits for New Zealand.”

To date, the company has not had any confirmed cases of COVID-19 among any of its employees or contractors.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/30042020/oceanagold-provides-covid-19-operational-update/

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