CNMC Goldmine's Chinese workers gradually return to Sokor gold field

CNMC Goldmine said on Monday that its Chinese migrant workers are starting to return to work at its flagship Sokor gold field in Malaysia's Kelantan state.

A small number of these workers recently completed a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon their arrival in Malaysia from China, and are now back at work at Sokor.

Another team of Chinese workers, newly returned to Malaysia, are now serving a 14-day quarantine. They are expected to be back at Sokor next week, barring unforeseen circumstances, the group said.

These workers are among the group's workers who flew to China early this year for the Chinese New Year, but until recently, could not return to Malaysia because of the travel restrictions imposed by Malaysia in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Another team of Chinese workers, primarily those involved in the group's underground mines, are expected back in Malaysia in September, subject to final approval from the Malaysian authorities. This group will similarly be quarantined upon arrival before they resume work at Sokor.

Upon the return of its mining crew, the CNMC Goldmine will resume underground infrastructure construction and mining. It said: "Underground mining is expected to be a key engine of growth for the group, given its potential to yield high-grade ore, which is expected to translate into increased gold production. Open-pit mining currently accounts for all of the group's gold output."

CNMC Goldmine shares fell half a Singapore cent or 1.64 per cent to S$0.30 on Monday.