Prepares To Ramp Up To Full Capacity
Sierra Metals Inc. (TSX: SMT) (BVL: SMT) (NYSE AMERICAN: SMTS) is preparing to restart operations at its Yauricocha Mine after the Peruvian Government moved to activate mining and mining-related developments in the country.
CEO Luis Marchese said the company will begin to recall required furloughed employees and contractors and will start to progressively ramp the mine operations back up to full capacity.
“I am very pleased that we are now in a position to ramp-up our Yauricocha Mine to normal levels with the prescribed health protocols and guidelines from the Government,” Mr Marchese said.
“It is important to highlight that our Yauricocha Mine has the operational flexibility to recover some of the lost production during the COVID-19 state of emergency. We will continue emphasising the health and well-being of our employees and of the communities in which we operate as we normalize operations.
Meanwhile, the Mexican Government had deemed mining an essential service effective June 1, 2020, and the company has recalled employees from the Bolivar Mines to enter a COVID-19 screening process, allowing the company to control the risk of new infections and contamination at the mine.
The Cusi Mine remains in care and maintenance for the time being, and management continues to evaluate the best path forward to complete needed development and to reach throughput targets.
Mr Marchese said the company continues to focus on the health, safety, and well-being of its workforce.
“All employees recalled and reporting for duty will complete a testing and screening process, including a quarantine period before they can join the active workforce at both the Yauricocha and Bolivar Mines.
“Daily monitoring also continues for all employees while working at the mines. The company is doing everything it can to protect its employees and take care of their families while protecting our active workforces to prevent any labour disruptions at the mines.”
