Agnico Eagle is providing the following update on recent results from its COVID-19 testing program for employees at its Meliadine mine, near Rankin Inlet, Nunavut.

On October 17, 2020, an employee working at its Meliadine mine (“Individual 1”) tested positive for COVID-19 and is considered as a presumptive case until test results have been validated by health authorities in their provincial jurisdiction. Individual 1 was identified through a random testing exercise which is regularly conducted on site as part of Meliadine’s COVID-19 preventive protocols.
Individual 1 was extracted from site on October 18th on a special charter flight. A tracing exercise identified 12 employees at Meliadine that may have been in contact with Individual 1. The 12 people identified as potential contacts were immediately placed in isolation at the mine site. Each person was re-tested and all results were negative. The 12 individuals were extracted from site on October 18th on a special charter flight. They have been instructed to self-isolate at home for 14 days and follow the recommendations of their provincial health authorities. They will be re-tested prior to returning to site.
In addition, all employees working in the same department as Individual 1 have been re-tested and all results have returned negative. As an extra precautionary measure, all employees that were at the mine site will be re-tested over the next several days.
On October 20, 2020, an employee traveling northbound to the Meliadine mine (“Individual 2”), and boarding from Mirabel, tested positive for COVID-19 at our testing facility in Val-d’Or. Individual 2 is considered a presumptive case until test results have been validated by health authorities in their provincial jurisdiction.
Individual 2 was extracted from site on October 20th on a special charter flight. A tracing exercise identified 10 employees at Meliadine that may have been in contact with Individual 2. The 10 people identified as potential contacts remained isolated at the mine site until being extracted from site on October 21st on a special charter flight. They have been instructed to self-isolate at home for 14 days and follow the recommendations of their provincial health authorities. They will be re-tested prior to returning to site.
In both situations, Agnico Eagle worked closely with Nunavut’s Office of the Chief Public Health Officer and followed their recommendations.
As we take this situation very seriously, we are taking extra steps to ensure the safety of all employees and contractors. All common areas have received additional extensive cleaning and disinfection process.
The risk of transmission to the community of Rankin Inlet is very low. The Meliadine mine implemented precautionary measures in March to isolate itself from the community, including by having its Nunavummiut workers stay at home with 75% of their base salary to eliminate the potential risk of transmission of COVID-19 into the communities.