Russia, which has a total population of around 145-million, has recorded the fourth highest number of infections globally since the start of the pandemic.

The situation at Mayskoye is under control and the outbreak is not expected to have an effect on production, CEO Vitaly Nesis told reporters. Mayskoye produced 8% of Polymetal`s output in 2019. About 900 people work there in total.

Nesis also said that Polymetal had applied to the Russian government for a perpetual gold export licence but remains focused on domestic sales to Russian banks.

Polymetal is on track to meet its 2020 production guidance of 1.5-million troy ounces of gold equivalent, he added.