Porgera mine denies recruiting new workers

THERE are 670 employees and 200 contractors engaged by the Porgera Mine to carry out care and maintenance activities, according to Barrick Niugini Limited.
A statement from the company said other employees on site were looking after areas such as environment monitoring, maintenance, community relations, human resource administration, safety and security.
The company clarified recently that it was not into recruiting new workers as some had been speculating on social media.
It said that the mine was “on care and maintenance mode” while discussions continued with the Government on the reopening of the mine.
“Care and maintenance mode essentially means that no mining, processing or production activities are being undertaken at the mine,” it said.
“Only limited activities are being carried out to maintain machinery, vehicles and equipment, and to ensure the safety and security of the mine site, the environment and employees.
“The mine has been in this mode since late April this year.”
It said employees were working “under ordinary employment conditions of the mine, and are subject to typical company employment and staff welfare policies”.
Around 2,900 employees and 600 contractors were terminated in June and paid their full entitlements in accordance with company policies and Papua New Guinea labour laws, according to the company.
It said should an agreement be reached with the Government allowing the resumption of operations at the Porgera mine, any recruiting processes “will be conducted in accordance with long-standing company recruitment policies”.