B2Gold Corp announces that operations are running normally at the Masbate Gold Project on Masbate Island following Typhoon Hagupit. Medusa Mining also advises that the typhoon did not affect the company’s operations in Mindanao.

In a statement B2Gold said Hagupit first made landfall on Saturday, December 6, at the island of Samar, just southeast of Masbate Island, reaching Masbate early Sunday. The eye of the storm tracked close to the site of Masbate gold mine. By late Sunday the typhoon had diminished in strength and passed over the island.

B2Gold’s Incident Management Team inspected all areas of the Masbate mine site once winds died down and confirmed that no major damage was sustained to any site facilities and infrastructure. The all clear signal was given to staff on Sunday evening.

The company said mining operations were curtailed during the storm event. Ore processing continued, however at the peak of the typhoon there was a 15.5 hour shutdown to plant production as operations were halted as a precautionary measure. The process plant is now operating at full capacity and the 2014 Masbate production forecast of 180,000 ounces of gold remains unaffected.

B2Gold says the Masbate operations benefit by their location, sheltered by the island of Samar to the southeast and the site itself is located on an inlet which has mountains immediately to the southeast. “The surrounding local community appears to have weathered the typhoon reasonably well although rainfall has been severe. The Masbate mine stands by to provide local assistance if required. An assessment of the surrounding area is ongoing.”

Meanwhile, Medusa Mining, through its Philippine operating company, Philsaga Mining Corporation, advises that Typhoon Hagupit did not affect the company’s operations. Medusa said it would provide targeted assistance to local communities in affected areas once assessments were available.

Medusa’s CEO Geoff Davis said, “In natural disaster circumstances the company is always prepared to assist those in need, including providing our mine emergency rescue teams when required. As assessments of the affected communities become available, the company will tailor assistance to suit the local circumstances.”