"You will not be able to attend the annual meeting in person," the company said.

"We expect this modification in meeting format to be effective for this year only and to revert back to an in-person annual meeting in future years after public health conditions have improved."

It said shareholders, registered beneficial owners and guests could attend the online meeting.

However guests would not be able to vote or pose questions.

"Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, we urge you to vote and submit your proxy in advance of the meeting by one of the methods described in the proxy materials for the annual meeting," Newmont said.

The company said it had also implemented "additional controls" at its operations and offices around the globe to further protect the health and safety of its workforce, their families and neighbouring communities.

It had said earlier this week it was putting its Musselwhite and Eléonore operations in Canada, Cerro Negro in Argentina and Yanacocha in Peru temporarily on care and maintenance to align with travel restrictions or health considerations.

Mining companies around the world are being impacted by measures to restrict the spread of the pandemic.

Canada's largest gold mine, Canadian Malartic, is ramping down this week to comply with restrictions and South Africa's mines will be mothballed for 21 days from midnight as the country joins the growing list of jurisdictions implementing lockdowns.

The number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases jumped by more than 40,000 yesterday to take the global tally to 414,179 people, the World Health Organisation said.

There have now been 18,440 deaths.

 

Newmont's shares closed 0.08% higher yesterday to US$47.54, capitalising it at $38.4 billion.