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Be the first with the news that moves the market- A workers’ union at IAMGOLD’s (TSX:IMG) Rosebel Gold Mine in Suriname have forced a work stoppage, after seven personnel tested positive for COVID-19
- The mine’s union resisted the implementation of new social distancing measures, which were established in reaction to the confirmed cases
- Due to the ongoing disagreement surrounding the measures, the company has ceased operations at the site until further notice
- The company’s management team were previously in close contact with the union and remain in talks with employees, local health authorities and the surrounding community
- IAMGOLD (IMG) is down 0.65 per cent and is trading at C$4.56 per share
A workers’ union at IAMGOLD’s (TSX:IMG) Rosebel Gold Mine in Suriname have forced a work stoppage, after seven personnel tested positive for COVID-19.
Once the diagnoses were confirmed, the mine’s union resisted the implementation of new safety protocols, which were established in reaction to the new cases.
Due to the ongoing disagreement surrounding the measures, the company has ceased operations at the site until further notice.
The individuals that contracted the virus are now in quarantine and are receiving appropriate medical care. Contact tracing and other related protocols remains ongoing, but the company has not yet revealed if there are any other suspected cases on the site or in the surrounding area.
Suriname has seen a sharp uptick in new cases this month, after keeping active cases in single digits since the outbreak began.
Since the beginning of June, case numbers have risen quickly, from 12 cases to 208, according to the latest statistics.
The company’s management team were previously in close contact with the union and remain in talks with employees, as well as local health authorities and communities, regarding the outbreak and the work stoppage.
IAMGOLD has operated the mine since 2006, after acquiring the property’s previous operator Cambior. Currently IAMGOLD owns a 95 per cent interest in Rosebel, with the government of Suriname holding the remaining five per cent.
The length of the operational halt remains unclear and the company has not yet announced any changes to the mine’s production outlook.
IAMGOLD (IMG) is down 0.65 per cent and is trading at C$4.56 per share at 1:53pm EDT.
