RAINY RIVER, Ont. – After shutting down its Rainy River mine for 14 days, New Gold has announced it will begin what the company calls a “systematic ramp-up of operations.” The company says it is taking additional precautions and will begin with only local workers.
New Gold had voluntarily suspended production after the federal government issued guidelines directing those who had travelled out of country to self-isolate for 14 days, leaving only a small crew onsite to monitor and maintain essential services.
About 70 per cent of the mine’s workforce is made up of local residents. Rainy River is located along the Minnesota border, and residents usually make frequent cross-border trips.
The company says it will re-start at first with only the local workforce, before phasing back in its rotational workforce.
It also cited new measures designed to protect workers from the virus. Those include screening employees at least once at the beginning of a rotation (those flagged will receive further assessment from an on-site nurse), more frequent cleaning, and social distancing strategies for meeting and lunch breaks.
Employee shuttle bus service from nearby communities has been suspended, though the company says employees can access financial support to offset increased fuel costs.
An unknown number of eligible employees have also been offered the option to work from home.
New Gold said in a statement Friday it was consulting with Indigenous communities in the area on its response, and continually seeking advice from local health authorities.
“Throughout this period, we remain in constant contact with the Northwestern Health Unit… to ensure our ongoing compliance with all provincial regulations and measures related to COVID-19,” the company said.
