Steelworkers Confirm “About 50 Layoffs” at Mt. Polley
Williams Lake, B.C. – The United Steelworkers union has confirmed “about 50” workers have been laid off at Imperial Metals Mt. Polley Mine in Likely.
Local 1-425 president Paul French says it’s a higher number than they were hoping for when first informed of the company’s decision last week (see original story here).
“I thought it was between 30 and 40. We’re disappointed that they couldn’t hang on to see what was going on.”
Imperial hasn’t provided 250News an explanation as to the need for the layoffs but French says it’s pretty obvious.
“Basically there’s no revenue coming in. They’re only spending money not making any.”
He adds the Steelworkers are quite concerned moving forward.
“We’re very concerned. They (Imperial) have applied for a permit to run tailings into an open pit (which would allow them to avoid the tailings storage facility) but that’s a public process that takes time.”
Comments
Number of lay offs must be around 100 employees now, that’s unfortunate.
So Imperial Metals got greedy, and screws up by building their tailing pond bigger and bigger, well beyond original design specifications. With no government and regulatory oversight, even the original engineering company could see what Imperial Metals was doing, got nervous, and cut all ties with this company.
“The original engineering done by Knight Piésold Ltd. accommodated a significantly lower water volume than the tailings storage facility reportedly held at the time of the breach. Significant engineering and design changes were made subsequent to our involvement, such that the tailings storage facility can no longer be considered a Knight Piésold Ltd. design.” ~Knight Piesold Ltd. website
So… who’s fault is it that the largest tailings pond breach in the world happened? Who’s fault is it that these workers are being laid off? IMO, fingers can be pointed at; our provincial government, Imperial Metals, and AMEC Engineering.
Cluestick did you even read the cause of the breach?
The copper in the ground is not going to run away, so why should any company be obligated to operate a mine at a loss. That is just wasting copper that can be sold at a profit.
The price of copper, and the breach of the tailing ponds are two separate items.
The breach of the tailing ponds and dumping off the excess water into an open pit, makes more sense than leaving it in a tailing pond.
What these mines need to be doing is a water filtration system, which makes it safe to disperse, instead of trying to store it. It is a lot easier to deal with solid waste, than liquid waste.
What the BC Ministry of Mines should have is a policy of where all new mines need to have a water reclamation plant in the system which reduces the load into the tailing ponds. What every operating mine needs to have is a water reclamation plant built with in four years. Clean up your act.
oops sorry, The price of copper in this situation does not matter, since the mine is not operating.
It has been a straight loss for imperial metals than. So why not offer some of the workers position at the Red Cris operation??? or is their union issues involved with this.
@ He spoke; It’s called “dry stacking”, a much safer, more environmentally friendly, but more expensive approach. Because of this, no mining company will do it unless a more responsible government regulates this type of mining waste storage in as part of issuing mining permits.
Here is some info on converting mining slurry into dry stacks.
http://www.paste2014.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/JohnLupo_MarceloMusse_Paste2014_Presentation.pdf
I hear the only ones working at Tumbler Ridge are TFWs.
Earth Quake on Vancouver Island as of a few minutes ago, hope there is some coverage of it here on 250 News.
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