Northern Star miner tests positive to virus

Northern Star Resources has reported a confirmed COVID-19 case in its Alaskan operations, saying an employee tested positive while at home on rostered leave.

The worker tested positive to the virus four days after completing his 12-day roster at the Pogo mine south-east of Fairbanks.

Northern Star said the employee had not developed serious symptoms or complications.

The Perth-based company says the Pogo mine continues to operate as planned while the site undergoes a comprehensive site sanitation.

“The safety and wellbeing of our people is Northern Star’s top priority,” the company said in an ASX announcement.

“Early on in this global pandemic elevated hygiene and strict social distancing protocols were introduced and enforced throughout the Pogo operations.”

Fourteen identified potential close contacts of the infected employee are currently in self-isolation.

Eight contacts would be transported off the site as soon as possible, Northern Star said, while the remaining six were currently on their rostered leave.

Northern Star’s shares were up 3 per cent at 1pm AEDT to trade at $10.48.