Thunder Bay – The Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) and Newmont Corporation announce that the outbreak at Musselwhite Mine located 480 kilometers north of Thunder Bay is now over.
Statement from Newmont Musselwhite Mine
Newmont Musselwhite Mine continues to work closely with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit to manage the 4 positive COVID-19 cases. All four individuals were immediately relocated off site and are doing well. Over the course of late last week, and in collaboration and consultation with Thunder Bay District Health Unit, we relocated high-risk close contacts of the positive individuals into self-isolation at home or at a designated location where they are completing their 14-day isolation. Out of an abundance of caution, we also isolated ‘contacts of contacts’ to ensure we were taking additional steps aimed at breaking any possible chain of transmission. All isolating individuals were tested for COVID-19 using PCR technology and all test results came back negative.
As of March 3, 2021, approximately 60% of the workforce remains at the mine site. These individuals were deemed to have had extremely low risk of exposure and have been PCR tested twice for COVID-19 in the last seven to eight days. All test results came back negative. These individuals will complete their work rotations and return home later this week. Everyone will be asked to closely monitor for any symptom associated with COVID-19 and to immediately self-isolate should they start to experience even one symptom.
Mine management plan to resume normal operations on March 4, 2021 with a new crew travelling to Musselwhite Mine. Further enhanced COVID-19 protocols are in place, including rapid testing prior to boarding the aircraft in Thunder Bay; on-site testing using PCR technology and everyone on site is required to wear a medical-grade mask.
Mine management would like to express their utmost gratitude and appreciation to the team at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and to all employees and contractors that have been impacted by this event.
Sincerely,
Don Burke General Manager