Equinox Gold confirmed that the ‘workers will resume their duties only after testing negative’ for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). Credit: Jan Mallander from Pixabay.

Vancouver-headquartered Equinox Gold has announced that it had removed the community blockade at its Los Filos gold mine in Mexico.

Access to the gold mine is now restored, said Equinox.

Equinox Gold announced a temporary suspension of mining activities at Los Filos on 3 September after the mine had been blocked by members of the nearby Carrizalillo community.

According to the Vancouver-headquartered firm, the individuals ‘allege non-compliance with the community social collaboration agreement’ signed last year. The protesters claimed that the company had also violated clauses of the contract with respect to the protection of their health and the environment.

Los Filos has now started a phased restart and is working towards achieving peak operations next month.

Equinox Gold confirmed that the workers will resume their duties only after testing negative Covid-19.

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Los Filos operations comprise two open-pit mines, Los Filos and Bermejal, as well as an underground mine.

The mine is situated approximately 230km south of Mexico City in the Guerrero State of Mexico.

Los Filos’ production for this year stands at produced 90,000oz-110,000oz of gold.

In a press statement, Equinox Gold stated: “Representatives from Los Filos and Equinox Gold have met regularly with the community leaders to discuss their concerns.

“With the blockade removed, good-faith negotiations will continue in order to reach final agreement on a few remaining items related to benefits provided under the Carrizalillo social collaboration agreement.”

In March, Equinox Gold and Leagold Mining announced the completion of their mergerv creating a gold producing firm operating entirely in the Americas.

In April, Leagold Mining completed the acquisition of the Los Filos mine from Goldcorp for $350m.