Marlin Gold Mining (TSX-V: MLN) issued a media statement today saying that as a result of heavy rainfall caused by Hurricane Willa, which made landfall on Mexico's Pacific coast as a Category 3 on Oct. 23, a significant amount of water has accumulated inside one of the pits at its La Trinidad gold mine located in the northwestern state of Sinaloa, 42 kms southeast of Rosario.
Marlin Gold explained that the pit, named Taunus, is already being dewatered. This is where the majority of the mining at La Trinidad occurs because it is considered to be a gold-rich intermediate sulfidation state epithermal system. For the time being, the company can only process the surface stockpile located next to the crusher, at least until steady deliveries of consumables can be made.
"The local municipality has begun to clear the roads to the La Trinidad Mine, but until normal road access is restored, deliveries of consumables will be limited. There is presently no estimate on how long it will take to restore normal road access," the statement reads.
The Vancouver-based firm said that the heap leach pad, crusher, and process plant do not appear to have sustained any significant damage and that pumps are active and working throughout the storm, with no environmental discharge taking place.
Marlin also highlighted that no injuries were sustained by any of Marlin's employees or contractors. A clinic at the La Trinidad Mine has been made available to members of the local community impacted by the storm.
Hurricane #Willa, seen swirling off the western coast of Mexico here, is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, wind, and rainfall to portions of west-central and southwestern Mexico.More here: https://t.co/QJJfegeTcL pic.twitter.com/6uNa8YIdOO
- NWS (@NWS) October 23, 2018