Gahcho Ku?(C) Close to Resuming Operations

RAPAPORT... Mountain Province has begun reviving operations at the Gahcho Ku?(C) mine in Canada after suspending production because of a coronavirus outbreak.The company planned to start the buildup to production over the weekend, it said in a statement Friday. It has called in two industrial hygienists to review and oversee work protocols and deep cleaning."Plans to mitigate the loss of production are being assessed, and will continue to be reviewed over the coming weeks," said Stuart Brown, CEO of Mountain Province, which holds 49% of Gahcho Ku?(C) in a joint venture with majority owner De Beers. "It is important to keep our focus on maintaining a safe and secure site while balancing the need to make up for lost production as we navigate our way through the pandemic."Mining and ore processing came to a halt earlier this month after six workers tested positive for Covid-19. As of February 17, the total number of infections had reached 15, De Beers noted.Image: Haul trucks and diggers at the Gahcho Ku?(C) mine in Canada. (Ben Perry/Armoury Films/De Beers)