MARATHON, Ont. — Unlike other mining operations in northwestern Ontario, Barrick's gold mine at Hemlo, east of Marathon, remains in operation.
The company says it is taking precautions to limit potential exposure of workers and others to the virus.
"Hemlo continues to actively monitor the COVID-19 situation and is taking action to ensure we are equipped to respond appropriately," Barrick said in a statement issued late Monday.
"We know that our communities are concerned...We are monitoring the situation on a day-to-day basis and following official safety and prevention guidance" published by health authorities and the Ontario and federal governments, it said.
The company outlined a range of measures it has implemented because of the COVID-19 threat.
They include:
• Fact sheets about COVID-19 are posted around the site with information on how to reduce the risk of contracting the virus
• All employees and contractors at our operation are encouraged to practice simple hygiene by washing hands regularly and covering coughs and sneezes and the mine has been equipped with additional sanitizing stations
• All workers and contractors are screened at security before entering the site. Screening protocols include travel declaration and temperature and health checks. Our facility has been inspected by local health authorities to ensure our activities are in line with health regulations and we have been advised that we are going above and beyond expected protocol during this pandemic
• Those who have returned home from international flights are mandated to self-isolate for 14 days
• We are adhering to the State of Emergency declared by the Ontario Government, this includes the following – No gatherings of more than 50 people; Social distancing of 2 meters or more; Reduced cage limits to no more than 6 workers at a time; Increased cage runs to accommodate work schedules; Staggered shift implementation to reduce workers at security at any given time, reduced line up meetings, reduced general meetings, mandates on workers allowed in a meeting room at any given time to ensure social distancing can be achieved o Work-at home-options for non-essential staff
• Partnering with our First Nations Rightsholders communities to aid them in the lock down of their communities to ensure they are not vulnerable during this time by allowing workers to self-isolate for 14 days
Barrick's statement, issued through Hemlo Mine general manager Adam Foulstone, noted that Premier Doug Ford has ordered all non-essential businesses to close by midnight Tuesday.
"As an essential business to the community and the region, the Hemlo Mine remains operational and it is therefore imperative that all employees and contractors ad here to the controls that have been implemented, to enable the mine to continue to support the local communities and employees during this time of need," it said.
