Blockade halts operations at Equinox’s Mexico gold mine

Equinox Gold has suspended operations at its Los Filos mine in Mexico – one of the country’s biggest gold producers - due to a blockade.

Members of the nearby Mezcala community have prevented delivery of some supplies needed to maintain operations, the company said in a statement.

Los Filos (pictured) has been impacted by a string of blockades since Equinox acquired the asset in its takeover of Leagold Mining in 2020.

“The company will engage with community leadership to find a solution that allows the mine to resume full operations,” Equinox said.

It is unclear whether the suspension will impact 2022 guidance for the Guerrero state asset, which stands at 155,000-170,000oz gold.

Mining at Los Filos was suspended in June 2021 as a result of blockades by unionized employees and members of the Xochipala community.

The blockades were lifted in late July and early August, respectively.

Members of the Carrizalillo community also blocked access to Los Filos in September 2020.

Following a staged restart of operations in December that year, an updated social collaboration agreement was signed with the community in April 2021.