AIM-quoted gold mining Chaarat Gold has reported a fatal incident at the Kapan mining operation in Armenia. involving an employee of its contractor, S&A Mining, on May 14.

Chaarat said the underground mining area that suffered a rock fall was closed immediately and an internal and external investigation has commenced. Chaarat said it is now working with S&A Mining and Armenian authorities to "facilitate their investigation of this tragic incident".

Mining operations continue in all other working areas while work remains stopped in the one stope where the incident occurred. Mine production is not expected to be affected.

"We truly regret this incident, and we offer our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased. The safety of our employees and contractor employees at our operations is a top priority for Chaarat. We are working through an internal and external investigation and will identify further measures to prevent such incidents from occurring, and to protect the health of our employees and contracted companies' employees," Mike Fraser, chief executive officer of Chaarat, said.

Kapan produces copper and zinc concentrate which is trucked to the Poti seaport in Georgia (850 km).

Chaarat also has assets at various stages of development in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Chaarat also reported a fatality at the mine in March 2021.