GOLD: Iamgold reopens 104 level at Westwood mine

QUEBEC – Toronto-based Iamgold Corp. has reopened the mining block on the 104 level of its Westwood gold mine 40 km east of Rouyn-Noranda. The area was closed after a series of rock bursts last spring. Rock mechanics experts – four on behalf of the company and one for the Commission de la Sante et de la Security au travail (CSST) – have identified the root cause of the rock bursts and made recommendations for presenting such mishaps in the future. Iamgold said it will implement the recommendations under the supervision of the CSST. The loss of production at Westwood forced the company to cut guidance in half, to between 60,000 and 75,000 oz of gold this year, but the reduction will have only a 5% on overall guidance that now stands between 780,000 and 815,000 oz. More information is available at Iamgold.com.