The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North
The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 64
The territories of northern Canada, so far, appear to have escaped the novel coronavirus pandemic that is currently sweeping the globe. This is due, in part, to the remoteness of the region. But it's also likely the result of extraordinary steps some mining companies are taking to keep COVID-19 out of the region. Sabina Gold & Silver Corp., a Canadian junior aggressively seeking gold in Nunavut, for example, reported March 17 to delay the start of its 2020 exploration program...
Contango ORE Inc. May 6 announced that management of the Peak Gold joint venture – Contango ORE (60%) and Royal Gold Inc. (40%) – has decided to postpone exploration on the Tetlin gold project in eastern Alaska in order to protect the health of workers and stakeholder during the COVID-19 outbreak. "These are certainly difficult times for everyone, and our primary concern is to ensure that our employees, contractors and community members remain safe and healthy," said Con...
Millrock Resources Inc. and Resolution Minerals Ltd. April 27 provided preliminary results from the 2020 drilling at 64North and plans for resumption of the program that was cut short due to COVID-19 concerns. Millrock's 64North project includes nine claim blocks – West Pogo, Shaw, Eagle, LMS-X, South Pogo, East Pogo, North Pogo, Last Chance and Divide – covering roughly 160,000 acres in the Goodpaster District, a gold-rich area anchored by Northern Star Resources Ltd.'s Pog...
Northern Star Resources Ltd. April 28 reported that its Pogo Mine in Alaska produced 49,340 ounces of gold during the first three months of 2020. While this is a 3,194 oz increase over the prior quarter, it is less than the Australia-based mining company expected. The lower than expected gold production at Pogo is due largely on the company's implementation of the COVID-19 operating protocols at the mine, which affected labor availability and underground productivity....
NANA Corp. and Ambler Metals LLC April 29 said they are working together to determine how a summer field season at the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects in Northwest Alaska can progress while protecting communities and balancing job opportunities for residents of the region. Earlier this year, Ambler Metals, a joint venture operating company equally owned by Trilogy Metals Inc. and South32 Ltd., approved a US$22.8 million budget for the 2020 program at UKMP, which is a large land...
Global metal production has been severely disrupted due to government mandated suspension of mining operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to figures released by GlobalData, 32 countries have passed partial or complete lockdown orders that by April 3 had led to the temporary suspension of activities at over 1,600 mines. Silver is the hardest hit by global government lockdowns, with the equivalent of 65.8% of annual global production of this industrious...
4 is shaping up to be the best year for Alaska's mineral exploration sector in a decade – that was the message delivered by North of 60 Mining News in January. Now, just four months and one COVID-19 pandemic later, the aspirations of a banner year for the companies unlocking the Last Frontier's vast mineral potential are distant and likely unachievable. While some mineral exploration companies will be able to carry out their 2020 programs as anticipated, restrictions to "...
Northwest Territories' mining sector took a major blow with the news that Dominion Diamond Mines, majority owner of the Ekati diamond mine and 40% owner of the Diavik diamond mine has filed for insolvency protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA). While it has been a tough year for diamond markets, the COVID-19 pandemic was the blow that has forced Dominion to file for creditor protection. "The CCAA filing was necessitated primarily by the impact of the...
Teck Resources Ltd. April 20 reported increased zinc and lead production at Red Dog, despite the adjustments and precautions taken to protect the health of the workforce and residents in nearby Northwest Alaska communities during the COVID-19 outbreak. Red Dog produced 128,400 metric tons (283.1 million pounds of zinc during the first quarter of this year, which is 17% higher than the first three months of 2019. Likewise, the first quarter zinc production during the first...
Northern Star Resources Ltd. April 16 report that there are three active cases of COVID-19 among the workforce from its Pogo gold mine in Alaska and another three have tested positive for the virus and have recovered. All the Pogo workers with COVID-19 were tested and remain off-site. Northern Star's medical team is monitoring the active cases, which are considered mild-to-moderate and all three workers are improving. The Australia-based mining company has implemented...
In what appears to be a positive turn for the 2020 exploration season in Alaska, Nova Minerals Ltd. is preparing to have drills turning again soon at its 2.5-million-ounce Estelle gold project. The Australia-based explorer mobilized equipment and crews earlier this year to carry out an 18,500-meter 2020 phase-1 program at Estelle. Drilling got underway in February but was quickly wound down due to health concerns and restrictions related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Following a...
Looking "to chart the path forward toward a future of unparalleled American prosperity" in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Donald Trump has pulled together a wide array of business and thought leaders into various "Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups." National Mining Association President and CEO Rich Nolan was named among the esteemed leaders to the United States economic recovery group. "We appreciate President Trump's leadership during this...
Grande Portage Resources Ltd. April 8 announced it has received regulatory approval for a 2020 drill program at its Herbert Gold project within the Juneau Gold Belt in Southeast Alaska. The company is now monitoring the COVID-19 situation to determine the public health impact of coronavirus and the best course for moving forward. "Our business continuity plans have been fully mobilized in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic," said Grande Portage Resources CEO Ian...
GT Gold Corp. April 3 said the planned 2020 exploration program on its Tatogga gold-copper project in the Tahltan Territory of northwestern British Columbia would typically get started toward the end of May but could be delayed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In response to the challenges posed by COVID-19, GT Gold has taken steps to support the health and safety of its employees and contractors. These measures include limited in-person meetings, postponed business travel and...
While the COVID-19 outbreak is unique in terms of the government and societal response, Hecla Mining Company has dealt with pandemics over its 129-year history and had a plan that was implemented early on at its five mines in the United States, Canada and Mexico. "Hecla's quick response to the COVID-19 outbreak began in February and has protected our workforce, enabling them to continue to safely operate our mines," said Hecla Mining President and CEO Phillips Baker, Jr. Due...
Northern Star Resources Ltd. April 5 reported that a Pogo gold mine employee from Fairbanks, Alaska tested positive for COVID-19 while at home on rostered leave. Located about 85 miles southeast of Fairbanks, Pogo is a remote operation with a camp that houses roughly 450 rotational workers. The Pogo employee that tested positive for COVID-19 is a Fairbanks-area resident who had been home four days after completing his 12-day roster at Pogo. The employee, who is in the care of...
An employee at Kinross Gold Corp.'s Fort Knox gold mine near Fairbanks, Alaska has tested positive for COVID-19. Mine management was informed of the positive test on April 9 and informed the other worker at the open-pit gold operation. Fairbanks Gold Mining Inc., the Kinross subsidiary that operates the mine said the employee that tested positive is doing well and has not developed any serious symptoms at this time and is self-isolating at home. The infected employee has not...
Trilogy Metals Inc. April 8 said Ambler Metals LLC still plans to carry out the US$22.8 million program at the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects in Northwest Alaska, but COVID-19-related health concerns and restrictions could delay or even prevent the planned 2020 work. This year's work program at UKMP was announced following the February formation of Ambler Metals, a 50-50 joint venture partnership between Trilogy Metals and South32 Ltd. The largest part of this program will...
Alexco Resource Corp. March 30 reported a slowing of mine development and exploration activities at its Keno Hill Silver District due to the uncertainty and unpredictable impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. To protect the health and safety of its employees, contractors and Yukon communities near the Keno Hill project, Alexco has implemented a COVID-19 response and management plan that follows territorial and federal guidelines, as well as industry-wide best practices. This...
Pretium Resources Inc. April 2 reported that the COVID-19 outbreak has not disrupted production at its Brucejack gold mine in the Tahltan Territory of northwestern British Columbia and the company is operating the remote underground mine under the strict guidance and directives of federal, provincial and regional health authorities. In order to minimize the number of individuals on site at Brucejack, only personnel necessary to support gold production will continue to work at...
Millrock Resources Inc. and Resolution Minerals Ltd. March 30 announced a temporary COVID-19-related suspension of drilling at the 64North gold project adjacent to the Pogo Mine property in Alaska's Goodpaster Mining District. Though the drill crew was completely isolated, and thus in a very safe location for COVID-19 risk, it was the preference of the drilling contractor to allow its personnel to return to their families in the Lower 48 before conditions or travel...
Novagold Resources Inc. April 1 announced that the planned 80-hole drill program at Donlin Gold, a 39-million-ounce gold project owned equally by Novagold and Barrick Gold Corp., has been put on hold due to COVID-19 measures in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region of Southwest Alaska where the proposed mine is located. A week earlier, Novagold reported that the roughly 22,000-meter drill program was ongoing but the rapidly evolving protocols to prevent the spread of coronavirus,...
As the United States hunkers down to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains imperative for the nation to maintain the critical infrastructure needed to respond to the global emergency and ensure systems remain intact for after the coronavirus has passed. The Department of Homeland Security considers mining among 16 critical infrastructure industries that "have a special responsibility in these times to continue operations." In its March 28 "Guidance on the...
In order to protect the health of its people and communities of northern British Columbia during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tahltan Central Government has been working closely with the other Tahltan Nation governments – Iskut Band and Tahltan Band – as well mining companies with operations in their territory. Tahltan Nation said it has been meeting extensively with Newcrest Mining Ltd., majority owner and operator of the Red Chris copper-gold mine in Tahltan Territory, to pri...
Kinross Gold Corp. April 1 continues to implement comprehensive and proactive measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the implementation of more than 140 best practice measures at the Fort Knox Mine in Alaska. These new measures that allow employees to practice "social distancing" or "physical distancing" include: • Staggering shift start times and allowing 10 minutes to clock in and out. • Reducing the number of employees on buses at a time and staggering sea...
