Wildfires in Canada shut down mining operations and shipments

Claude Resources became the latest mining project in Western Canada to halt production because of the more than 400 wildfires burning in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. The fires have forced miners to suspend operations and shipments.

Claude Resources halted operations at its Seabee gold mine in northern Saskatchewan, as a wildfire about 8 km (4 miles) south of the operation could expand.

The gold miner said mill production has so far not been affected thanks to stockpiled ore at the site, Mining.com reported.

Last week Cameco Corp. and Areva Resources Canada had to suspend uranium shipments from their northern Saskatchewan operations because of wildfires, but mining operations weren’t affected.

British Columbia and Saskatchewan have been facing exceptionally hot, dry and windy conditions, which have created a number of extreme fires. About 13,000 people have been displaced in Saskatchewan.

Experts says fires could burn all the way up to the first snowfall.