Rainy River Mine

Last updated on May 2022

The Rainy River Mine has shared action plans and preventative measures being implemented, while seeking and considering input from our employees, contractors, and communities to ensure we are delivering responsive actions consistent with broader efforts. 

At our Rainy River Mine we have implemented a number of measures including, but not limited to:

Site-Wide Practices:

  • Management continues to consult with local government officials and Indigenous communities to incorporate and coordinate actions that will mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
  • Implementation of Health Canada approved Biomeme SARS-CoV Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT_PCR) tests and rapid mobile detection platform in July 2022 as a tool for initial screening of workforce, adding another level of protection against the transmission of COVID-19. 
  • COVID-19 on-site RT-PCR tests are conducted if: 
  • An employee/contractor/visitor on New Gold business volunteers for a test
  • An employee/contractor/visitor has two conflicting Rapid Antigen Tests and is asymptomatic.
  • Individuals with positive results from the on-site RT-PCR testing are directed to self-isolate according to the Public Health guidelines. 
  • Implementation of contact tracing technology to isolate any infected individuals and limit further exposure. 
  • Expanded testing capabilities with Antigen rapid tests to accommodate testing of all employees at the beginning of each rotation. 
  • Commencing in January 2022, New Gold employees and full-time contractors receive a monthly supply of take-home Rapid Antigen Test kits to self-administer following the same testing schedule offered in the fire hall. 
  • Employees and contractors who are members of communities serviced by the Fort Frances Tribal Area Health Services (FFTAHS) are offered the opportunity for voluntary referral and monitoring by FFTAHS community nurses for 14 days if they have any symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Employees with symptoms are instructed to not report to site and contact the Nurse Practitioner on site for further direction.
  • Posters have been posted at site and camp to raise awareness about self-monitoring and self isolation practices, proper hand washing and mandatory face masks. 
  • A COVID-19 information resource hub for employees has been created on our internal employee communication site, including information about health and safety and employee benefits. 
  • We have secured a supply of surface wipes, sanitizing sprays, hand sanitizers, soaps, dispensers, which employees will use to sanitize their work stations and equipment. 
  • Modified recruitment, onboarding, and training to enable proper physical distancing. 
  • The Supply Chain department ensured that the mine site has adequate supply of medical grade masks. Mask mandates were lifted by the Province of Ontario in March 2022 but mask requirement remain a requisite at Rainy River under the following conditions: 
  • On all shuttle buses including buses used on site
  • Inside cab of a company vehicle when occupied by two or more people
  • All meeting where 1 meter distance cannot be achieved (including PSI's)
  • Entering the security building/nursing station 
  • Entering the COVID screening clinic at the fire hall

Employee & Family Support:

  • The New Gold Employee and Family Assistance Program offered through LifeWorks is available to support our employees and their families related to mental, physical, emotional, and financial well-being.
  • The 'Not Myself Today' program is available to support employee mental health and connect them to resources.
  • Human Resources provides regular communications to employees regarding benefits and available mental health supports to increase awareness.
  • New Gold has one year contract with Resolution Counselling offering Mental Health one-to-one counselling and workshops for all employees. 

Please email us here if you have any questions:rrcomments@newgold.com

We all can help reduce the spread of COVID-19. We encourage everyone to follow Health Canada's recommendation on protective measures against the virus, via this link.

Health Agency Updates