NEWS ROUNDUP — Strike ends at Santa Gertrudis

An initial collective bargaining agreement has been ratified between Campbell Resources (TSE) and workers at the company’s Santa Gertrudis gold mine in northwestern Mexico.

Operations were suspended on Aug. 1 and resumed Aug. 14. The 2-year agreement calls for a 9% wage increase over the first year, with a wage reopener to follow in the second year.

Meanwhile, in Canada, Campbell reports that gold production increased and operating costs fell during the first half of the year at the Joe Mann mine near Chibougamau, Que.

For the 6-month period, output totaled 33,000 oz., compared with 27,200 oz. for the same period in 1993. Operating costs averaged US$298 per oz., compared with US$356 last year.