Surface operations resume at New Afton Mine following deadly mudslide

The New Afton Mine west of Kamloops has restarted operations after an accident that killed a contract employee.

For now, the mine is restricted to surface operations while underground work is still suspended, according to a New Gold press release.

"No surface infrastructure was impacted by the underground mud rush incident," New Gold said in the release.

On Feb. 2, there was a deadly mud rush underground at the New Afton Mine which prompted the mine to suspend operations. It took the life of contract driller Raymond Rosenberg, 35, and injured two other employees. Rosenberg's body was recovered Feb. 3.

READ MORE: Fundraiser for family of worker killed in Kamloops mining accident exceeds goal

New Gold has announced that ore processing has resumed, along with construction on a tailings facility and "stabilization efforts."

The mine is working with the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation to safely reopen underground mining.

The accident was localized to the "isolated recovery zone", which does not interact  with other areas of the mine, according to the press release.

"As we move forward, the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone who works at New Gold will remain our highest priority," president and CEO of New Gold Inc., Renaud Adams, said in the release.

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