TSX-V-listed Artemis Gold has temporarily reduced the number of nonessential staff and contractors at the Blackwater mine, in central British Columbia, owing to wildfires in the region.
About 20 personnel, including emergency response teams, remain on site to monitor the situation.
"The safety of our employees, contractors and the local and Indigenous communities is our top priority. We will continue to actively monitor the situation and will provide updates as necessary,” comments Artemis CEO Steven Dean.
The Blackwater mine will be one of the biggest gold mines in British Columbia once it enters production in the second half of next year. In its first five years, Blackwater will produce 321 000 oz/y. The company recently reported that the initial capital to complete to first gold pour was estimated to range between C$730-million and C$750-million, of which Artemis had incurred about C$150-million at the end of May.
Meanwhile, in Quebec, Hecla Mining has restarted its Casa Berardi mine, following the lifting of a ban on access to the road to the mine.