Mines close as Spain tightens coronavirus controls

Spain has implemented enhanced measures to protect its people from the fast-spreading coronavirus with a new royal decree on Sunday stipulating that only employees from essential industries are allowed to work for the next week-and-a-half.

The list of essential industries excludes mining and consequently, Aim- and TSX-listed Atalaya Mining on Monday announced that its Proyecto Riotinto copper mine would cease operations until April 10.

The company said in a statement that it would maintain a minimum workforce for care-and-maintenance work during the stoppage.