Guyana Goldfields Inc suspends operations at Aurora mine after strike

Guyana Goldfields Inc’s Aurora gold mine Region Seven. (GGI photo)
Guyana Goldfields Inc’s Aurora gold mine Region Seven. (GGI photo)

Canadian miner Guyana Goldfields Inc today announced a suspension of operations at its Aurora, Region Seven mine site after a `wild cat’ strike.

In a statement, Guyana Goldfields said that a section of the workforce employed by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, AGM Inc. has blocked delivery of ore to the mill. 

“As a safety precaution, the Company has decided to temporarily suspend operations until a resolution is reached with the striking workers, and is in the process of evacuating all non-essential personnel from site, including the striking workers”, the statement said.

The Company said it believes the stoppage was the result of a misunderstanding concerning the management and relationship between AGM and certain open pit mining contractors. AGM has been examining options to improve mining performance in order to ensure Aurora’s long-term future, the statement added.  No decisions have been made on any possible changes to the mining operation at this time.

“The Company is actively working along with its employees and adhering to applicable laws and regulations and is facilitating communication with the relevant Governmental labour authorities to understand and address employees’ concerns and to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.  The Company is making arrangements to have the strikers meet with representatives of the Ministry of Labour to mediate the dispute”, the statement added.

It says that work on the underground exploration decline remains unaffected.