Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited is suspending mining operations and gold production at its Goldex mine in Val d’Or, Quebec, with immediate effect.
The decision follows a report from a second rock mechanics consulting firm recommending that underground mining operations be halted until the situation is investigated further.
While the company continues to assess the situation, it appears that a weak volcanic rock unit in the hanging wall of the Goldex deposit has failed. This rock failure is thought to extend between the top of the deposit and the surface. As a result, this structure has allowed ground water to flow into the mine, which could contribute to further weakening and movement of the rock mass.
“Considering the safety of the company’s employees, and the integrity of the mine’s infrastructure and that of the surrounding area, the decision was made to stop production indefinitely,” said Sean Boyd, vice-chairman and CEO.
It is estimated that the mill will continue to process feed from the remaining surface stockpile until the end of October.
The company will assess the potential for restarting the mining operations next year on the western side of the deposit where the ore zone is narrower and still considered to be relatively stable. There is no guarantee that this will occur, however, so Agnico-Eagle will write off its investment in Goldex—around $260 million—in its third quarter results due to be published on 26 October.
Additionally, the company expects to make an accounting provision for a portion of the anticipated costs of remediation in the third quarter of 2011. All of the remaining 1.6 million ounces of proven and probable gold reserves at Goldex (approximately 10 years of mine life), other than the ore stockpiled on surface, will be reclassified as mineral resources.
