Working in a semi-remote location in northwestern Ontario during times of a global pandemic has its advantages for Great Bear Resources.
"Drilling continues at our flagship Dixie project," announced Great Bear Resources president-CEO Chris Taylor in a March 19 news release.
The Vancouver junior miner isn't easing up on its $21-million exploration program at its Dixie Project near Red Lake. But the company has adopted new COVID-19 operating procedures for their crews at the site to limit their exposure to the virus from the outside.
Great Bear holds more than 300 square kilometres of prospective gold property in the Red Lake district. The Dixie Project is the main focus of their four properties in the area.
Dixie is 25 kilometres – a roughly 20-minute drive – southwest of the community of Red Lake. It hosts a high-grade gold system extending down from surface.
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The company spelled out some of their COVID-19 safeguards to protect its personnel while keeping non-exploration people away from the site.
- Only crew members that reside in Red Lake, or within a safe driving distance, are currently working on site.
- Crews are being monitored for symptoms of illness and asked to self-isolate for 14 days in the event symptoms are detected
- Extra cleaning measures have been implemented on site.
- Separate work facilities are already in place and will facilitate maintenance of appropriate personal spaces while on site.
- Separated crew accommodations are in place.
- Crew members will avoid external social gatherings in compliance with government requirements.
- External assay labs have taken additional sample cleaning precautions.
- Crews will avoid taking public transit prior to and while on rotation.
- Vancouver office staff are now working from home until government advisories change.
- Commercial airline flights for project staff are suspended until travel advisories are modified or lifted.
"Great Bear does not operate a camp and is benefitting from the logistical advantages of the Dixie project's location adjacent to the highway just outside of Red Lake," said Taylor.
"We rely heavily on local labour and service providers and would like to thank our exploration partners at Rimini Exploration and Consulting Ltd., Wabuskang and Lac Seul First Nations, and Chibougamau Diamond Drilling Ltd. for their efforts to continue with safe operations during this difficult time."
Taylor said they anticipate being able to continue their current drill campaign into 2021 with requiring any additional funding.
