Brightwater may lay off workers over Bathurst mine delays

Nelson’s Brightwater may lay off engineering staff over Bathurst mine delays

March 30 (BusinessDesk) – Brightwater Group, the Nelson-based engineering firm, is looking at sacking workers because of delays to Bathurst Resources’ planned coal mine on the West Coast.

The company told more than 150 staff at its Nelson and Auckland offices it has engaged consultants to cut employee numbers because of the lack of activity, it said in a statement. Chief executive Chris Ellis blamed delays to Bathurst Resources’ planned coal mine on the West Coast’s Denniston Plateau.

“Our client, Bathurst Resources, was granted consents for the project in August 2011, but appeals have been lodged and the uncertainty is delaying our involvement,” Ellis said. “We have delayed this decision for as long as we can, but the resource consent appeals process is becoming protracted and unfortunately it is now going to cost jobs.”

Last month, Bathurst Resources said it hoped to get a September hearing in the Environment Court, lodged by environment groups opposed to its Escarpment open cut mine.

Brightwater said the restructuring won’t impact on its services division, which operates and maintains process facilities in industrial, resources and energy sectors, and its Australian operations.

“It is a major loss which will be felt particularly in our Nelson engineering base where we have a highly skilled and experienced workforce with a great track record,” Ellis said.

(BusinessDesk)

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