Roscan Gold to continue exploration work at Kandiole
2020-03-30 08:28 ET – News Release
Mr. Greg Isenor reports
ROSCAN GOLD PROVIDES UPDATE ON COVID-19; NO IMPACT TO EXPLORATION TO DATE
In light of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Roscan Gold Corp. has implemented new operational procedures to protect the health and safety of its work force and their local communities, while facilitating its continuing exploration program at its 100-per-cent-owned flagship Kandiole project in west Mali. Roscan has donated thermal scanners, masks, sanitizers and gloves to the surrounding community and local mayor of Kenieba.
Nana B. Sangmuah, president and chief executive officer of Roscan, said: “Our top priority is the health and safety of our employees, their families and the local communities near where we work in west Mali, while safeguarding the interests of our shareholders. Out of an abundance of caution and community mindedness in Mali, we have enacted a plan to allow the ongoing functionality of company personnel in their various capacities until the COVID-19 outbreak and its repercussions are better understood. We are fortunate to operate with a streamlined team that can and have been functioning remotely for several years. We expect to provide ongoing updates to all stakeholders of the company as this fluid situation evolves.”
Roscan is proceeding with exploration with a heightened level of awareness for virus-related issues as well as a response plan for quarantine and hygiene. The company intends to continue drilling at the project for only as long as it remains safe to do so. As such, the situation is being monitored closely by management.
Roscan has implemented rigorous control and prevention measures in order to ensure the health of its workers. The following are some examples:
- Those who do not need to be on site are working from home.
- On-site staff are using a thermal scanner to assess the body temperature of employees and everyone visiting the company’s sites, as a way to be more accurate in our monitoring of flu-like symptoms. Anyone displaying flu-like symptoms or having an elevated temperature is sent home. The company will follow Mali health guidelines as they evolve for personnel who have elevated risk.
- Medical checks for any employee who has been absent from work due to displaying flu-like symptoms or because of a self-initiated request for sick leave.
- All visits to any of the company’s drill sites are cancelled. Only direct employees and preapproved contractors have permission to access the company’s sites.
- Janitorial/cleaning services have expanded to focus on common areas and at the company’s camp, sanitation duties have been incorporated into routine safety checks prior to each shift commencing. Sanitizing supplies are provided to personnel so they can perform a full wipe down at the beginning of each shift.
- Strong focus on education for social distancing outside of the workplace, to keep employees, their families and communities safe.
It should be noted on March 25, 2020, the President of Mali stated: “The government of Mali announced there are two (please note that as of March 29, 2020, there are 18 cases of COVID-19) confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mali — one case is in Bamako and one in Kayes. Both people arrived in Mali from France (March 12 and 16), and both cases are being managed by Malian health authorities.
“On the same evening of March 25, 2020, he announced to the nation the imposition of a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. until further notice, effective from Thursday, March 26, 2020, at zero hours. The President also announced the closure of land borders, except for freight and merchandise transport.
“Finally, the President declared a state of health emergency, in addition to the state of emergency in Mali due to the security environment.” These measures will not affect the company’s operations at Kandiole.
About Roscan Gold Corp.
Roscan Gold is a Canadian gold exploration company focused on the exploration and acquisition of gold properties in West Africa.
We seek Safe Harbor.