SolGold Temporarily Suspends Site Work in Ecuador amid COVID-19 Concerns
BISHOPSGATE, LONDON / ACCESSWIRE / March 25, 2020 / The Board of Directors of SolGold (LSE:SOLG)(TSX:SOLG) wishes to provide an update regarding its operations in Ecuador amid growing concerns regarding the spread and seriousness of COVID-19.
The Emergency Operations Committee (COE) of Ecuador announced a "Stay at home" policy in Ecuador which has meant the temporary closure of businesses across the country. SolGold is committed to the safety and wellbeing of its employees and communities, and as a result of the state policy and the reaction from many communities within its areas of operations to the potential for transfer of COVID-19, the Company is complying with government preventative measures and has reduced operations throughout Ecuador.
Chief Executive Officer Nick Mather said, ''In an effort to reduce potential transmission of COVID-19, SolGold is actively monitoring all its employees and will continue to do so for the next 14 days. The Company has also reduced to essential personnel only. The employees at project sites and office will continue to follow government advice on prevention of this disease''.
''Where possible, the Company's geologists, administration, technical and financial teams are working from home and will continue to progress SolGold's projects using the extensive database. The Alpala prefeasibility study is continuing externally, using the available information which has already been substantially gathered from site", he said.
The Company is and will continue to support its employees, will carry on contributing to the economy as far as possible for the immediate future and will monitor the management of the workforce and interactive COVID-19 management protocols. SolGold is actively supporting local communities in their efforts to curtail the spread of the virus.
As the situation is dependent on actions at regional, state, national and international levels, SolGold cannot currently indicate the duration of the temporary partial suspension of field work on the Company's projects.
By order of the Board
Karl Schlobohm
Company Secretary
Qualified Person:
Information in this report relating to the exploration results is based on data reviewed by Mr Jason Ward ((CP) B.Sc. Geol.), the Chief Geologist of the Company. Mr Ward is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, holds the designation FAusIMM (CP), and has in excess of 20 years' experience in mineral exploration and is a Qualified Person for the purposes of the relevant LSE and TSX Rules. Mr Ward consents to the inclusion of the information in the form and context in which it appears.
CONTACTS
Nicholas Mather |
Tel: +61 (0) 7 3303 0665 +61 (0) 417 880 448 |
Karl Schlobohm |
Tel: +61 (0) 7 3303 0661 |
Ingo Hofmaier |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3823 2131 |
Gordon Poole / Nick Hennis |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3757 4997 |
Ross Allister / David McKeown |
Tel: +44 (0)20 7418 8900 |
James Kofman / Darren Wallace Cormark Securities Inc. (Financial Advisor) |
Tel: +1 416 943 6411 |
Follow us on twitter @SolGold_plc
ABOUT SOLGOLD
SolGold is a leading exploration company focussed on the discovery, definition and development of world-class copper and gold deposits. In 2018 SolGold's management team was recognised by the "Mines and Money" Forum as an example of excellence in the industry, and continues to strive to deliver objectives efficiently and in the interests of shareholders. SolGold is the largest and most active concession holder in Ecuador and is aggressively exploring the length and breadth of this highly prospective and gold-rich section of the Andean Copper Belt.
The Company operates with transparency and in accordance with international best practices. SolGold is committed to delivering value to its shareholders, while simultaneously providing economic and social benefits to impacted communities, fostering a healthy and safe workplace and minimizing the environmental impact.