The Kumtor mine, in Kyrgyzstan.
Canadian gold miner Centerra Gold on Monday announced an immediate cessation of mining operations at the Kumtor mine, in Kyrgyzstan, after a “significant rock movement” at the Lysii waste rock dump early in the morning.
The mining company said that Kumtor initiated an emergency evacuation of all mine personnel from the area and that two employees who were working in the area did not report to the emergency gathering area and remained missing.
Search-and-rescue operations were under way and CEO Scott Perry said that the primary focus was to find the missing employees.
“While the search continues, we are coordinating closely with the family members of the missing employees and our thoughts and support are with the families, the search and rescue teams, as well as with the entire Kumtor team.”
Openpit mining operations have been temporarily halted and the mine plan was being re-evaluated. The production outlook for 2019 would not be impacted as the mill would continue to process stockpiles.
Newswire Reuters reports that Perry met with Prime Minister Mukhammedkaliy Abylgaziyev at the weekend. Following the meeting, the government issued a statement on Saturday saying that Kumtor would produce 18.2 t of gold this year, beating its forecast of 16.6 t to 17.6.
Kumtor produced 16.6 t of gold in 2018.