Yamana Gold (TSX: YRI, NYSE: AUY) on Tuesday that the company will scale back operations at its Canadian Malartic mine in northwest Quebec.
The decision follows discussions held with representatives of the government of Quebec, which ordered temporarily restriction to all non-essential business until April 13 due to the coronavirus outbreak. As a result, Yamana鈥檚 operations will be placed on care and maintenance, and minimal work will be taking place until the date specified in the order.
Canadian Malartic, a 50/50 joint venture with Agnico Eagle, is one of Canada鈥檚 largest gold mines. It produced 170,084 ounces of gold in the fourth quarter of 2019.
There are currently no suspected or confirmed cases of covid-19聽at Canadian Malartic聽or any of Yamana鈥檚 operations, and a return to full capacity at Canadian Malartic is expected to occur in an expedited manner as soon as the temporary聽restriction聽is lifted, the company said.
Additionally, Yamana has temporarily聽demobilized operations at its Cerro Moro mine聽in Argentina due to the mandatory聽self-isolation period聽and travel restriction聽imposed by the national聽government.