OPAPIMISKAN LAKE, ON — Nearly three months after a fire led to a chain of events that stopped deep underground operations at the Musselwhite gold mine—
500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay— it seems the recovery effort will last considerably longer.
Tbnewswatch has learned the mine's owner, Newmont Goldcorp, doesn't expect normal production to resume before the last quarter of the year.
On March 29, conveyor apparatus caught fire, leading to a power shutdown that stopped the pumps that are needed to keep water out of the mine.
A spokesperson for Newmont Goldcorp, which owns the mine, says the company is working to reestablish full access to the mine, and recovery is progressing "safely and efficiently."
In a statement, Communications Manager Cherry DeGeer said "work is still ongoing to develop the production resumption strategy and timing. It is unlikely to see production before Q4, but we look forward to using this opportunity to get ahead on development work."
Completion of a major improvement to some underground infrastructure is suspended for now.
The company is upgrading the way it brings ore from deeper levels to an underground crusher. It expects the $90 million project will lead to a 20 per cent increase in gold production and a 10 per cent decrease in operating costs over the life of the mine.
"Once the expected timeline for the ramp, secondary egress and dewatering has been determined, main work on the conveyor system and infrastructure will be able to start," DeGeer said.
The company's production losses will apparently be offset. According to DeGeer, Newmont Goldcorp has insurance for this type of event and is actively working with its brokers.
About 700 people work at the mine.
The company has not provided information about the impact of the fire on employment levels.
