Employees from Blackwater Mine were evacuated on July 21 following a wildfire evacuation order. Parent company Artemis Gold said they took swift action in response to a wildfire evacuation order affecting its Blackwater Mine and surrounding region, in a July 22 statement.
An evacuation order was issued on July 20 for all lands, properties, and dwellings in the vicinity of Laidman & Williamson Lakes due to a wildfire. An evacuation order was also issued for 29 parcels of land west of Quesnel near Kuyakuz Lake.
The company said it evacuated all non-essential staff and contractors from the mine site on July 21, ensuring the safety of all personnel. Evacuees were mustered at the Vanderhoof Tourism and Cultural Centre (museum).
Essential staff remain onsite at Blackwater, with Artemis Gold implementing necessary measures to protect the mine's assets. Currently, all personnel are reported safe, and the Company anticipates resuming full-scale construction activities shortly.
"The safety and well-being of our employees and contractors is always our top priority," Artemis Gold CEO Steven Dean said in the statement.
"Meanwhile, we are supporting our project team in planning our prompt return to full-scale construction as soon as it is safe to do so," Dean added.
