Peak goes contract

Aurelia Metals management has told Peak Gold Mines employees the company will be making the transition from “owner-mining” to “contract-mining”.

Management held a meeting with employees onsite on Tuesday morning to detail the plans.

Since Aurelia Metals’ announcement of their intention to purchase the Peak Gold Mine (PGM) in November last year, staff at the mine, have been on tenterhooks awaiting news of what will happen to their jobs.

As part of cost cutting measures made in April this year, the company made approximately 40 staff members redundant and, at the time Aurelia’s Chief Operating Officer Jim Simpson said they were still reviewing the mining department.

Staff were told most employees would likely be offered new roles with the Contractor.

“The Company will be working with the Contractor to ensure the majority of the workforce remains as local residential employees,” the mine’s general manager David Pelchen said in an update given to the affected employees yesterday.

The changes are expected to occur in the December quarter, however the date is subject to successful negotiations with the contractor.

“The majority of PGM employees in Mining and Mobile Maintenance will be affected. A small number of Fixed Plant, Technical Services and Administration positions may also be affected,” Mr Pelchen said.