Virus Cases Force Shutdown at Alrosa Mine

RAPAPORT... Alrosa has suspended operations at its International underground mine for up to two weeks after "several" employees tested positive for coronavirus.The Russian miner will only carry out work to ensure the safety and maintenance of the site, it said Thursday.Workers and contractors will receive compensation in accordance with labor laws."The company has developed several scenarios of a quick response to the possible spread of the virus at its production sites," said Alrosa CEO Sergey Ivanov. "In order to prevent an uncontrolled outbreak of the disease and a threat to the health of our employees, the company took a number of decisions under one of the scenarios."The International mine produced 2.2 million carats in 2019, contributing around 6% of group output.