Mining News
Pan American Silver announces more mine curtailments due to virus
(Kitco News) - Pan American Silver Corp. (NASDAQ, TSX: PAAS), which last week temporarily suspended operations at four mines in Peru, has now curtailed operations in Argentina and Bolivia also as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company announced Monday.
Operations at the Manantial Espejo mine in Argentina will be suspended in order to comply with a mandatory national quarantine that will be in place until March 31, Pan American said.
The company added that it also suspending supply deliveries and personnel transport at its San Vicente operations in Bolivia to comply with rules there that are also to be in effect until the end of the month.
“Pan American will conduct care-and-maintenance activities, as necessary, at both operations during the suspension to sustain the appropriate safety and environmental systems, and to ensure operational readiness when the suspensions are lifted,” the company said in a prepared statement. “As the situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is dynamic, Pan American is currently unable to determine the impact on its 2020 operating guidance.”
The company, which is the world’s second-largest primary silver producer, last week announced that the Shahuindo, La Arena, Huaron and Morococha in Peru were temporarily put on care and maintenance due to government measures there.
