Coronavirus Forces Closure of Gahcho Kue, Canada

(IDEX Online) - The Gahcho Kue diamond mine in Canada has suspended all operations after six workers tested positive for COVID-19.

It follows a separate outbreak involving workers on contractor-operated winter road 25 miles away, although health officials do not believe the two are linked.

The 335 workers currently at the mine (pictured), in Northwest Territories, have been confined to their rooms, "except to use the washroom and for scheduled meal times".

In addition, 47 workers identified as potential contacts of those who have the virus are in isolation.

"The health and safety of our employees and contractors are our first priority so we made the immediate decision to stop mining and processing of ore … until we determine a safe path forward," Lyndon Clark, the mine's general manager, in a press statement.

Gahcho Kue is jointly owned by De Beers (51 per cent) and Mountain Province Diamonds (49 per cent).

Unlike the nearby Ekati mine (now owned by Arctic) which closed as the pandemic hit in March 2020, Gahcho Kue has, until now, remained operational.