29th Jan 2020 13:39
(Alliance News) - Griffin Mining Ltd on Wednesday said mining operations at its Caijiaying mine have remained suspended following the Lunar New Year holiday, amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The London-listed mining investor however added that there have been no reported cases of the contagion at the zinc, gold, silver and lead project.
As normal, mining operations were suspended on January 22, to mark the Lunar New Year holiday, though milling work continued with stockpiled ore.
Mining activities were due to recommence on January 29, though due to coronavirus-related state-imposed travel bans, Griffin's mining contractor has been unable to begin operations at Caijiaying again.
Griffin said: "It is expected the mining contractor will have enough staff on site to begin mining operations between the February 4 to February 6. Milling activities will remain ongoing until all stockpiles have been depleted. This is expected to occur in the next four days after which, following a mill servicing, normal full mining and milling should resume."
The death toll in mainland China following the outbreak of the SARS-like virus has risen past 130 while nearly 6,000 people are infected, authorities said.
Griffin explained that it has "instituted severe entry restrictions into the Caijiaying Mine including temperature and history screening prior to entry".
"It also seems clear that Caijiaying has benefited from being more than 1,300 kilometres from the epicenter of the Coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei Province," Griffin added.
Griffin shares were 5.9% lower at 66.33 pence each in London on Wednesday afternoon.
By Eric Cunha; [email protected]
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