GOLD MINING: Forest fires retreat, work resumes at mines

ONTARIO – The forest fires that last week forced three gold mines in northern Ontario to suspend operations have begun to abate and residents are beginning to return to their homes and cottages.

The fire caused a power outage at Kirkland Lake Gold, near the town of the same name. The company reports that power has been restored, and that full production at the mine and mill will be achieved by May 31, 2012. (KLGold.com)

Power was also cut to the mill at the Young-Davidson gold mine belonging to AuRico Gold 60 km west of Kirkland Lake. It has been restored, and the company is ready to resume ore processing. During the outage, mining continued using a separate 44-kW line and backup generators. (AuRicoGold.com)

High winds and smoke from a fire west of Timmins forced Lake Shore Gold to suspend operations at its Timmins West gold mine on May 24 but crews went back to work on May 27. Operation of the Bell Creek mine and mill was not affected. (LSGold.com)