Outbreak declared at Sugar Zone Mine in White River

Harte Gold has confirmed workplace transmission and a COVID-19 outbreak at its Sugar Zone mine, located in White River.

A press release issued by the company today states it is currently managing three COVID cases among employees at the mine, two of which are asymptomatic.

Harte Gold says the transmission, which occurred in the mill facilities, is the first workplace transmission at the company since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, mill operations were temporarily suspended as impacted crews self-isolate, the company said in a press release, and new crews start rotation this week with the goal of resuming operation tomorrow.

To date, the mining operations have not been impacted by the workplace transmission, Harte Gold says.

The company says contact tracing was completed in partnership with Algoma Public Health to determine the potential for additional exposures.

The employees potentially affected, are self-isolating and protocols will remain in place for 14 days as per Algoma Public Health recommendations, with regular monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms.

Harte Gold says it will continue to monitor the situation until the outbreak is declared over. 

It plans to continue its COVID-19 antigen testing program on-site, and offer voluntary site vaccinations for its employees.