Kirkland Lake Gold Announces Receipt of Notices for Investigation and Improvement by Environmental Protection Authority Victoria
November 29 2021 - 1:30AM
Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. (“
Kirkland Lake Gold” or
the “
Company”) (TSX:KL) (NYSE:KL) (ASX:KLA) today
reported that the Company has been advised by the Environmental
Protection Authority (“EPA”) Victoria of the Victorian Government
that the EPA has determined that low-level frequency noise (in the
range of 16-20 Hz) is being emitted by the Fosterville Mine.
The EPA has provided the Company with a Notice
to Investigate and an Improvement Notice focused on the low-level
frequency noise which it believes is emanating from the mine.
Included within the notices are stated timelines covering a period
of just over two months for investigating and resolving the issue
of low-frequency noise as well as reporting to the EPA on
modifications introduced and new testing completed. In addition,
the EPA has indicated to the Company that additional action may be
taken by the EPA that could result in restrictions on the use of
certain equipment, primarily surface ventilation fans and surface
drill rigs in the south portion of the mining lease, during the
night, while the remediation period is completed. The potential
impact of such measures on the Fosterville operations, should they
be introduced, is currently being investigated. Management at
Fosterville has been aware of concerns expressed by residents in
recent months regarding low-level frequency noise and has taken
steps to evaluate and address these concerns. As part of these
efforts, Fosterville commissioned two independent studies on noise
levels produced by the mine. The studies were completed by
accredited noise and acoustic specialist firms based in Australia,
with both studies concluding that all mine generated noise was
within regulatory limits.
The Company is working with the EPA to better
understand the grounds for the notices being issued and will take
the necessary steps to ensure its operations are, and remain, in
compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements.
ABOUT KIRKLAND LAKE GOLD
LTD.
Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. is a low-cost senior
gold producer operating in Canada and Australia that is targeting
1,300,000 – 1,400,000 ounces of production in 2021. The production
profile of Kirkland Lake Gold is anchored by three high-quality
operations, including the Macassa Mine and Detour Lake Mine, both
located in Northern Ontario, and the Fosterville Mine located in
the state of Victoria, Australia. Kirkland Lake Gold’s solid base
of quality assets is complemented by district scale exploration
potential, supported by a strong financial position, extensive
management expertise and an overriding commitment to safe,
responsible mining.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
Anthony Makuch, President, Chief Executive Officer
& DirectorPhone: +1
416-840-7884E-mail: tmakuch@kl.gold
Mark Utting, Senior Vice-President, Investor
RelationsPhone: +1 416-840-7884E-mail: mutting@kl.gold
Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains statements which
constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of
applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the
plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of Kirkland
Lake Gold with respect to future business activities and operating
performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the
words “may”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”,
“anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” or similar
expressions and include information regarding: (i) anticipated
impact associated with the notices received and the Company’s
ability to resolve the issue within the time periods provided; (ii)
the anticipated impact associated with further restrictions on the
Fosterville Mine imposed by the EPA (iii) expectations regarding
anticipated costs and production at the Fosterville Mine which may
be further impacted by the restrictions imposed by the EPA; (iv)
expectations regarding the Company’s ability to remediate and
reduce further risks associated with the any current and future
notices provided by the EPA on the timelines set out therein; and
(v) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive
factors.
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking
information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect
Kirkland Lake Gold’s management’s expectations, estimates or
projections concerning future results or events based on the
opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered
reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although Kirkland
Lake Gold believes that the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking information are reasonable, such information
involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be
placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors
could have material adverse effects on future results, performance
or achievements of the Fosterville Mine. Among the key factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected in the forward-looking information are the following: the
ability to modify certain activities undertaken at the Fosterville
Gold Mine in compliance with the EPA notices received; the ability
to reduce the low frequency noise during the timelines provided;
the potential impact of the notices with respect to anticipated
production at the Fosterville Gold Mine; the potential impact on
the Company’s relationships with regulatory bodies, employees,
suppliers, customers and competitors; changes in general economic,
business and political conditions, including changes in the
financial markets; changes in applicable laws; and compliance with
extensive government regulation, including the Environmental
Protection Act 2017 (Vic) and applicable regulations; and the
diversion of management time with respect to the investigation
required in response to the notices received. This forward-looking
information may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the
business of Kirkland Lake Gold and market conditions. This
information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements
and risk factor disclosure contained in filings made by Kirkland
Lake Gold with the Canadian securities regulators, including
Kirkland Lake Gold’s annual information form, financial statements
and related MD&A for the financial year ended December 31,
2020, its interim financial reports and related MD&A for the
period ended September 30, 2021 and its joint management
information circular dated October 29, 2021 filed with the
securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada
and available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov.
Should one or more of these risks or
uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the
forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may
vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned,
anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although Kirkland
Lake Gold has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties
and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially,
there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated,
estimated or intended. Kirkland Lake Gold does not intend, and does
not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking
information except as otherwise required by applicable law.
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