Canada’s Kinross Gold has isolated its Kupol mine in Russia’s Far East after two workers were hospitalised with suspected coronavirus infections in the biggest mining lockdown since the outbreak of the disease in December last year.
The plant, which has the capacity to produce 4 500 t/d of ore, is continuing to operate on schedule, but its output is not being shipped, a spokesman said.
Air links to the remote mine, located in the Chukotka region, 400 km northwest of the city of Anadyr, have been suspended and its winter road route, a snow and ice overland connection, has been closed off.