Aurora Gold Mine Inc. (AGM) workers, whose contracts are due to expire soon, are expected to be offered employment by Sinohydro, which has been contracted for mining and stripping works at the Aurora mine in Region Seven.
AGM Director of Corporate Office, Compliance, and Government Relations Peter Benny told Stabroek News that most of the employees who were rehired by the company after it resumed operations in September were placed on a three-month contract. With that contract coming to an end, he said the employees will be hired and work under Sinohydro.
According to Benny, in a letter sent to employees informing them of the move, his company erred by using the term “transfer” to describe the plan.
“It was simply a badly worded phrase that should not have been used. These workers were on a three months contract but those contracts are coming to an end by this month, early December. These workers will be paid their benefits and will have employment with Sinohydro,” Benny explained.
Additionally, Benny pointed out that employees, who were permanently hired will be made redundant and paid their benefits. He stated that these workers will also find new employment with Sinohydro.
Zijin Mining, which is the new owner of AGM, has contracted fellow Chinese company Sinohydro to execute stripping works in a bid to accelerate its work plan.
“The company has pushed emphasis early on full resumption of operations. It has not produced any gold since June. The company was looking at production in February/March 2021 but now we are looking to start by the end of this month,” Benny disclosed as he justified the hiring of the company.
He stated that Sinohydro was engaged at the end of October and is working with the company towards the common goal of accelerating stripping works. The company is currently in the process of stripping away the overburden to get to the minable ore.
Sinohydro, a subsidiary of China’s largest power company, POWERCHINA, is described as state-owned hydropower, engineering, and construction firm. The company has been expanding their services worldwide. An arm of the company is currently executing the construction of the IDB-funded Sheriff Street/Mandela Avenue road project. It is unclear if the same arm has been contracted by AGM Inc.
According to Benny, Sinohydro, equipped with its own workers, has merged its workforce with AGM to advance works. With the stripping works advanced, he said that they should enter into production phase by the end of this month, and if they continue operating at this pace, they will be able to hire a work force of over 600.
However, Benny had said that the contract with Sinohydro does not mean the AGM is sidelining local contractors. He said that in time, local contractors will be engaged as the company ramps up production.
Benny had assured that Zijin Mining has plans to improve its local content standing as it develops its operations.
