The OK Tedi copper and gold mine in Western Province in Papua New Guinea has shut down operations after the confirmation of seven Covid-19 cases on Tuesday.
OK Tedi mine Photo: Ok Tedi Mine CMCA Review
The company shut down charter flights into its site at Tabubil last week after the escalation of cases in Port Moresby.
In a statement he company said the source of the transmission was believed to be a person who travelled to Kiunga from Port Moresby on Friday, where an Ok Tedi worker was infected.
The company said it was likely that more people were infected and that was why it was suspending operations.
It said this would be for at least 14 days to limit further transmission and to allow contact tracing, isolation and testing to be undertaken.
The number of coronavirus cases in PNG has risen to at least 153, including two deaths.