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Tuesday, 30th January 2007 (2270 views)

Fiji's government are to discuss the plight of a number of job losses at the country's gold mines.

Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, interim prime minister and army commander, confirmed that the cabinet will discuss the long-term future of workers laid off at the Vatukola gold mine. A total of 1,730 workers have been made redundant following the decision of Emperor Gold Mine to shutdown operations in December following an extensive review of the site's viability.

Emperor Gold Mine's chief executive, Brad Gordon, explained the review had "made it clear that we cannot keep the operations going profitably in the short to medium term."

It is expected that the government will examine the reasons behind the closure as well as looking at providing support for the children of the mine's workers as well as possible re-education initiatives to ensure alternative employment opportunities.

The government is also reported to be working with a Canadian-based mining employment agency about the possibility of skilled workers being reemployed within the Vancouver mining industry.

 

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