LONDON (Alliance News) - Aureus Mining PLC Friday said it hasn't had any reported or suspected cases of Ebola anywhere near where it operates, but it has ramped up precautions including controlling access to its operations, undertaking temperature screening and working with local communities to boost education about the disease and providing assistance to local medical facilities.
Aureus said it was working with the government of Liberia to help it fight the disease outbreak.
In a statement, the company said construction at its New Liberty site in the country is continuing, and non-essential staff have been granted leave at this time, including the exploration team after the drilling season recently ended.
"Such precautionary measures include access control to Aureus' operations, temperature screening, education and collaboration with local villages and village elders, detailed and regular communication with employees, contractors and visitors, heightened medical provisions and medical assistance at the New Liberty medical clinic and travel restrictions," it said.
"The company is and will continue to monitor the situation closely. All efforts are being made to ensure that the New Liberty project remains on track and to minimise the impact of the Ebola situation, not only on New Liberty but also on the country and the local communities we operate in," it added.
Liberia's army on Thursday set up checkpoints on major roads as part of the efforts to combat the Ebola epidemic that has ravaged communities across the nation.
The soldiers were deployed with the aim of restricting citizens' movements in order to help contain the spread of the disease that has killed 282 people in Liberia, one of four West Africa nations grappling with the deadliest Ebola outbreak on record.
The army will also help Liberia's Ebola task force to identify, track and quarantine people suspected to be infected, Defence Minister Brownie Samukai said.
There have been more than 500 confirmed or suspected Ebola cases in Liberia, according to the World Health Organisation.
Aureaus Mining is constructing the New Liberty gold project in the country, and is also exploring at two other potential gold mining sites, Ndablama and Weaju.
By Steve McGrath; stevemcgrath@alliancenews.com; @stevemcgrath1
Copyright 2014 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
