Polymetal suspends work at Primorskoye deposit due to fire in work camp

MAGADAN. March 25 (Interfax) - Polymetal , Russia's largest silver producer and one of the country's biggest gold miners, has suspended operations at the Primorskoye deposit in Magadan Region due to a fire in the work camp, the company's Magadan branch told Interfax.

No one was hurt in the fire, which occurred on the evening of March 23, and it did not reach storage or production facilities, but accommodation premises will need repairs.

The fire was put out with the help of the mine rescue crew, and employees are being relocated to Omsukchan, Dukat and Magadan, a branch spokesman said, adding that they are being provided with all the necessities, including food and hygiene products.

A special commission has been set up to investigate the cause of the fire, the spokesman said. He did not say when operations will resume.

Primorskoye is part of Polymetal's Dukat hub, Russia's largest silver deposit.