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A "significant flood event" has affected Sibanye-Stillwater’s two platinum group metals operations in Montana in the US, the group announced on Tuesday.
"The flooding of numerous rivers in the region, follows a warm spell leading to a rapid melt of accumulated snow in the mountains and associated runoff, which was exacerbated by heavy rainfall over the weekend," the company said in a statement.
No injuries have been reported and all employees are safe at the Stillwater mine, the operation that has been most affected.
A number of employees are at the Stillwater Mine site to maintain the integrity of the mine, and to provide refuge and support for campers that are arriving from the nearby Woodbine campground.
"We will continue to support efforts to ensure the safety of all those at Woodbine and the surrounding area," Sibanye said.
The road between the city of Nye and the Stillwater mine has been eroded and several bridges in the region damaged. This is likely to restrict access to the Stillwater mine for some period that will be better known in the next few days, Sibanye said. The group’s East Boulder mine is less affected and access currently remains intact.
A full assessment of the regional impact of the floods and the impact on the operations will be undertaken once the floodwaters have subsided, likely within the next few days, and this will be communicated to the market in due course.
"Sibanye-Stillwater will be on hand to support ongoing rescue efforts and our thoughts and prayers are with our communities and our local emergency responders as they all work on this challenging situation," the company said.
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