Agnico Eagle Mines Limited reports that on August 23rd, 2021, an employee working at its Meadowbank Complex near Baker Lake, Nunavut tested positive for COVID-19. The result was confirmed by an accredited laboratory on August 25th, 2021.

The individual was tested prior to arriving on site on August 17th and the result was negative. On August 23rd, during the mandatory 5-day retest, the employee presumptively tested positive. In accordance with Agnico Eagle’s COVID-19 protocol, the individual was immediately placed in isolation until their evacuation from site on August 26th.  We are working closely with Nunavut’s Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) and we are following their recommendations. The tracing exercise, completed in collaboration with CPHO, identified eight employees that may have been in contact with the individual.  These potential contacts were re-tested, and all results came back negative. They remained isolated at the mine site until their evacuation on a separate charter flight on August 26th and have been instructed to follow the recommendations of their provincial health authorities. In addition, one Nunavut resident, who is considered low risk by CPHO, is being monitored by Public Health.  They will all be re-tested prior to returning to site.

Although the risk of contamination is considered low, flights to and from Meadowbank Complex on August 25th were delayed to August 26th, while all employees on site were being re-tested. All results came back negative. All employees at Meadowbank Complex will be tested again on August 28th. In addition, all common areas (gym, smoke shacks and recreational room) have been shut down for extensive cleaning and disinfection.

Due to the robustness of our safety measures in place on site that continue to prove effective, the risk of contamination is controlled and remains very low in the communities. As we take this situation very seriously, we are taking extra steps to ensure the safety of all employees, communities, and contractors.

The no-contact protocol between the mine sites and the communities is still effective and remains a priority, including during the transportation of employees to site, in order to continue protecting the communities.