MEDELLIN, Colombia, May 29, 2022
/CNW/ - Mineros S.A. (TSX: MSA) (CB: MINEROS) ("Mineros" or the
"Company") regrets to report an accident resulting in multiple
fatalities at its Nechi Alluvial Property ("Nechi"), Colombia.
On the afternoon of May 28, 2022,
a storm with heavy rains and strong winds hit Nechi and overturned
the floating beneficiation plant connected to the Llanuras suction
dredge (the "Plant"). A total of eight people, seven employees and
one contractor, were working on the Plant at the time of the
accident. Two people were rescued uninjured and were checked by
local health professionals. Two people were confirmed dead and the
remaining four, one contractor and three employees, are currently
unaccounted for. Counseling and support is being provided to the
affected families and personnel.
Andrés Restrepo, President and CEO of Mineros, commented "We are
deeply saddened by the loss of life at our Colombian operations. On
behalf of the entire Company, I would like to extend our sympathy
to the families, friends and coworkers impacted by this accident.
We will continue to support all those affected; Mineros remains
committed to the well–being of all of its personnel."
Immediately following the accident the Company's emergency
protocols were activated. These protocols included mobilization of
the Company's emergency response team in coordination with the
relevant local entities, notification to the appropriate government
authorities and assistance to affected workers. A rescue operation
commenced immediately and a coordinated search for the missing
workers is currently underway.
All on-site operations have been suspended while the Company and
authorities investigate the accident.
As of the time of this news release, no environmental impact has
been reported from the storm or the overturning of the Plant. The
Company continues to monitor the environmental situation and has
informed the relevant environmental authorities.
ABOUT MINEROS S.A.
Mineros is a Latin American gold mining company headquartered in
Medellin, Colombia. The Company
has a diversified asset base, with mines in Colombia, Nicaragua and Argentina and a pipeline of development and
exploration projects throughout the region.
The board of directors and management of Mineros have extensive
experience in mining, corporate development, finance and
sustainability. Mineros has a long track record of maximizing
shareholder value and delivering solid annual dividends. For almost
50 years Mineros has operated with a focus on safety and
sustainability at all its operations.
Mineros' common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange
under the symbol "MSA", and on the Colombia Stock Exchange under
the symbol "MINEROS".
The Company has been granted an exemption from the individual
voting and majority voting requirements applicable to listed
issuers under Toronto Stock Exchange policies, on grounds that
compliance with such requirements would constitute a breach of
Colombian laws and regulations which require the directors to be
elected on the basis of a slate of nominees proposed for election
pursuant to an electoral quotient system. For further information,
please see the Company's most recent annual information form filed
on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
SOURCE Mineros S.A.
