In November, Equinox Gold’s Castle Mountain Mine teamed up with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and researchers from Oregon State University to conduct an annual health assessment on a herd of desert bighorn sheep near Castle Mountain Mine.
During the health assessment, nine female sheep were trapped and lifted to a safe spot at the mine site so wildlife biologists could perform various diagnostic health tests and fit the ewes with tracking collars.
Last year Equinox Gold partnered with the Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep to install a new wildlife water guzzler system at the mine site. This new water source is maintained by mine site staff to ensure the animals have year-round access to fresh water in the otherwise arid region. The desert bighorn sheep rely on these guzzlers, particularly during drought years.
Equinox Gold is committed to promoting local biodiversity conservation and protecting the species and habitats of the areas in which we operate. We adhere to all local and federal regulations and apply the World Gold Council Responsible Gold Mining Principles for Biodiversity, Land Use and Mine Closure, and the Mining Association of Canada Toward Sustainable Mining Biodiversity Conservation Management protocol.
