Vancouver-based Lithium Americas Corp. says it has suspended construction activities at its US$565-million lithium project in Argentina in accordance with government-mandated restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
CEO Jon Evans says the company is in the process of “demobilizing” its construction workforce of more than 1,000 people.
He says the 40,000-tonne-per-annum project is well advanced and construction will resume when the suspension is lifted. The government has ordered a mandatory quarantine from March 20 until March 31.
The Cauchari-Olaroz project is a 50/50 joint venture between Lithium Americas and Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd. and is expected to begin producing in early 2021.
Meanwhile, Toronto-based Yamana Gold Inc. says it is sending home local employees and contractors at its gold-silver Cerro Moro mine in Argentina but will keep non-local staff working.
It says underground operations will be reduced but a limited workforce will continue to operate largely from its open pit operations and from stockpiled material.
(TSX:LAC, TSX:YRI)
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