A SUBSIDIARY of Apex Mining Co. Inc. has been included in a localized lockdown in a barangay in Itogon, Benguet after cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were reported in the area.
In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Tuesday, Itogon-Suyoc Resources, Inc. (ISRI) said that as of Oct. 26, it reported around 80 COVID-19 positive cases in its Sangilo mine, and was awaiting all the results of swab tests conducted by the rural health unit.
According to ISRI, it has increased its disease mitigation efforts and has disinfected the areas where the COVID-19 patients were monitored.
The mining firm also assured that its containment facility is equipped to accommodate patients.
“The management is also seeking assistance from the local government unit (LGU) to conduct mass testing among its employees in the mine site,” the disclosure said.
The company said its mining operations would resume once contact tracing and swab testing are completed.
“Only those with negative results will be allowed to return to work,” the disclosure said.
Apex Mining has yet to determine the potential impact of the COVID-19-related issues on ISRI’s operations and financial results.
Meanwhile, the company said its Maco mining site in Davao de Oro remains operational and has not posted any COVID-19 infections, adding that health and safety procedures continue to be firmly enforced.
On Tuesday, shares in Apex Mining at the stock exchange rose 4.42% or P0.08 to close at P1.89 per piece. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
