SSR Mining Inc., a leading, low-cost, precious metals producer with a diversified portfolio of assets, recently announced its ambitious plan to restart the Seabee Gold Operations – a move that might have been unthinkable just a few months prior due to the severe impact of wildfires around the site in northern Saskatchewan, Canada.
The severity of the wildfires forced SSR Mining to suspend all operations at the Seabee Gold Operations back in June, affecting its production projections for the year and causing upstream concerns for investors and stakeholders. However, the company’s adept handling of the situation, alongside the hard work of the fire control services, led to a significant improvement in the safety conditions surrounding the site.
As the wildfire situation has now been brought under control, SSR Mining has stated its commitment to restart the Seabee Gold Operations with a safety-first approach, ensuring full compliance with environmental and fire safety standards. It is also important to note that the restart wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering determination and commitment of the employees and teams who worked tirelessly to secure and protect the mining site and the surrounding communities during these challenging times.
The restart of the Seabee Gold Operations is not merely about resuming mining activities. It represents a significant milestone in SSR Mining’s journey towards rebuilding after the series of unexpected challenges caused by the natural disaster. This move is also projected to have a significant positive impact on the local economy which has been undeniably affected by the temporary shutdown of the operations.
SSR Mining’s comprehensive plan for Seabee Gold Operations’ transition back to full scale operations will be implemented in a phased manner. The company believes that this systematic and cautious approach will mitigate any potential operational risks arising from the sudden restart.
In the immediate phase, the company plans to focus on restart activities, including equipment checks and safety inspections. The medium-term strategy includes ramping up production in a sustainable and responsible manner, by ensuring the safety of all workers, the integrity of the operations, and the preservation and respect for the surrounding environment.
SSR Mining has also highlighted their commitment towards securing the long-term future of the Seabee Gold Operations. As an essential part of this long-term perspective, community engagement will hold a prime focus. The overarching aim is to maintain a positive relationship between the mining operations and the local community, foster job creation and ensure that the entire region benefits from the economic activity generated by the Seabee Gold Operations.
Moreover, despite the significant production gap created by the shutdown, SSR Mining has expressed confidence that the projected annual production for the year will remain in line with targets. This prediction is largely due to the high-grade nature of the gold deposits at the site, which is expected to allow the company to recoup lost ounces and catch up on its production targets.
The return to operation for the Seabee Gold Site thus signals a time of regeneration and ambition for SSR Mining. It is a testament to the resilience of the company, its workforce, and the local community, who have weathered extremely challenging circumstances and come out stronger on the other side. The decision to restart the mining activities is more than just a corporate decision – it’s a pledge towards sustainable, responsible and inclusive growth.
