Miner halts exploration field work in project areas

St Barbara Ltd says exploration fieldwork (outside mining leases) has been suspended.
The company in an announcement, said suspension of work were in Australia, Canada and PNG.
This was to minimise the risk to the company’s staff and the surrounding communities.
St Barbara is the operator of Simberi gold mine in New Ireland.
Providing an update on the impact of Covid‐19 pandemic on its operations, the company noted that its three operations (Australia, Canada and PNG) have been able to maintain operations, production and gold shipments at this time.
The company is in a sound financial position, with all three operations continuing to generate positive net cash flows and internal financial modelling, indicating it can readily withstand a prolonged hiatus in production across all operations.
Managing director and chief executive Craig Jetson, said: “St Barbara’s first priority is the safety, health and wellbeing of our employees and their families, our business partners and our communities during this crisis.
“I want to acknowledge the extraordinary effort demonstrated by our people and our business partners in keeping each other safe whilst maintaining operations to this point.
“We have plans to address potential further impact of the Covid‐19 on our staff and our business should more stringent containment policies be enacted by the various governments.
“We are working closely with the mining industry bodies and governments in each of our jurisdictions to conscientiously operate within current Covid‐19 guidelines and be aware at the earliest opportunity of any future developments.”