Vancouver-based Almaden Minerals has reported it is pausing the drilling activities at the Ixtaca gold-silver deposit in Mexico due to the worsening pandemic situation in the region.
“Although none of the drilling or core logging and processing teams have tested positive for the virus, several COVID cases have been detected by the Company’s COVID protocols among members of the Company’s local staff. These people are now in quarantine. The Company is liaising with local health authorities and leaders to ascertain how it can assist author-ities in the area,” the miner said in a statement.
To date, Almaden Minerals has completed one hole at the project’s South-east Alteration Zone to a depth of 785 metres.
The “Core has already been split and sent for assay. Results will be shared once they are received and assessed,” according to the Vancou-ver-based firm. “The Ixtaca deposit hosts a proven and probable reserve containing 1.38 million ounces of gold and 85.1 million ounces of silver.”