Mining Resumes in Quebec

COMMENTARY - Quebec leads!

Mining Life & Exploration News is looking at what is happening in the neighbouring mining communities of Northwestern Quebec.

Mining operations resumed at the Canadian Malartic mine in Quebec, Canada Wednesday (April 15th), following the provincial government's decision to authorise the resumption of mining activities.

Canadian Malartic is a 55,000 tonnes per day open pit operation which produced 670,000 ounces in 2019 with a similar output expected this year prior to mining being suspended.

There were other operations that followed suit. The Eldorado Gold, Lamaque mine from the same date had committed to opening. The mine was previously forecast to produce 125,000-135,000oz this year.

As mining reopens in Quebec, the number of fly-ins and fly-outs from mining sites will be reduced to a strict minimum with companies looking to use more local workers. More chartered planes and shuttle buses will be used to transport miners to work, limiting contact with neighbouring communities.

Miners will be required to wear protective gear while following hygienic measures such as applying disinfectant. They will also see their time on work sites extended to 28 days instead of 14, reported the local paper.

The return of mining activity will occur over a period of several weeks.  The attention to health and safety of returning employees, contractors, and suppliers measures will be a priority. These will include enhanced screening of all workers entering the mine, including temperature checks, mandatory social distancing, enhanced disinfecting and preparedness planning in the event of a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.

Publisher Glenn Dredhart

Tags: Quebec / Government / Gold / All Articles