Equinox Gold Announced Halt in Mexican Gold Mine Operations

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Equinox Gold announced that it has suspended mining activities at its Los Filos gold mine in Guerrero state, Mexico. This follows road blockade by community members, alleging non-compliance with the earlier agreement signed between the company and the community last year. The operations have been suspended since 3^rd September, 2020.

According to company press release, reduced workforce still remains at the site, so as to maintain appropriate safety, security and environmental systems. Further, the company is engaged in discussions with the community leaders in resolving the issues at the earliest, in order to ensure earliest restart.

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The community leaders claimed that the company has failed to comply with most of the clauses of the agreement. In addition to extending racist and discriminatory attitude against residents, the company has also violated clauses related to health and environment, they said. Over 20 mine workers were tested Covid-19 positive, out of which some have even died, Carrizalillo community leaders alleged.

The Los Filos mine is one of the largest gold mines in Mexico and in the world. The mine has estimated reserves of 7.43 million oz of gold and 52.54 million oz of silver. Equinox Gold expects to recover nearly 3.2 million ounces of gold during the mine’s anticipated 20-year mine life.