Workers have returned to their posts at Cambior‘s (CBJ-T, CBJ-X) flagship Rosebel open-pit gold mine in Suriname following an agreement with the union.
Cambior says the agreement has provided the stability required to restart operations and begin talks on an initial labour pact. A large portion of the mine’s 949 employees had been off the job for five days after being led into what the company called an “illegal work stoppage” by an unofficial union representative.
The company asked the government to help clarify the workers representation at the mine, and had sought an injunction ordering the cessation of the illegal occupation of Rosebel’s facilities.
Cambior says the Rosebel Goldmines Werknemers Organisatie is now associated with Moederbond, one of Suriname’s largest trade unions.
Rosebel produced 15% fewer ounces of gold during the first quarter of 2006 than a year earlier, as heavy rains limited the mining of higher-grade ore from lower benches in the pits. The mill managed to squeeze 75,100 oz. gold out of 1.85 million tonnes of ore running 1.35 grams gold per tonne, down from the 87,950 oz. produced a year earlier. Operating costs jumped 37% to US$260 per oz.
The mine had been expected to produce 335,200 oz. gold at US$240 per oz. during 2006. The higher estimated costs are in anticipation of an increased stripping ratio and a larger hard-rock component to mill feed.
Rosebel entered commercial production in the first quarter of 2004 and went on to produce some 273,700 oz. gold at a mine operating cost of US$170 per oz. in the remaining 11 months of the year. In 2005, the mine poured 341,400 oz. of gold at US$208 apiece.
Late last year, mill operations at Rosebel were interrupted following a leak in the foundation of the operation’s thickener unit. The leak was contained in the safety berms and ponds, with no impact on the environment.
Cambior owns 95% of Rosebel, with the government of Suriname holding the remaining 5%.
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