Impala Canada is placing its Lac des Iles palladium mine in northern Ontario under temporary care and maintenance after six individuals were confirmed to have COVID-19.

According to an April 13 statement from Impala vice-president of corporate affairs and communications Erin Satterthwaite, after the mine's first employee tested positive, five more positive cases appeared over the weekend. Two of the five individuals are self-isolating on site and receiving medical care, while the other three are isolating at home. Testing is underway for another two individuals showing symptoms as well. The initial employee to test positive is at home in Thunder Bay.

The mine’s first case of coronavirus was announced on April 9. In a statement posted on the company’s Facebook page, CEO Tim Hill stated the mine which has about 300 employees was being put in quarantine by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU), asked everyone who was on site at the mine to stay there until April 18, and all other employees to stay home. At the time, Hill stated that the quarantine period would be used to ramp the operation down to a state of care and maintenance and would require 50 workers during the shutdown.

Since then, Impala says it has worked together with the TBDHU to “develop a safe and orderly departure plan that is in the best interests of our team and public health.”

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The majority of staff at the mine departed from the site on April 13 and were asked to self-quarantine for two weeks. According to the statement, employees at higher risk of further spreading the infection have been directed to quarantine at a hotel in Thunder Bay, where their expenses will be covered by Impala. All the employees will be receiving their pay for the month of April. A small crew will remain on site to maintain the care and maintenance of the operation.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made for an uncertain world and shifting realities,” Satterthwaite wrote. “We thank our entire LDI team for navigating this challenging time with strength and fortitude. Together with our partners at TBDHU, we are doing what is needed to be done to protect those closest to us and the Thunder Bay community.”

Impala says that plans to resume operations will be communicated “in due course,” with the best interest of public health and their employees being the priority when determining when to restart operations.