Closure threat angers Spring Creek miners

April 28, 2006

Closure threat angers Spring Creek miners

Miners at the Spring Creek coal mine are angry and disappointed that their future remains uncertain, despite months of hard work.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little said that the 130 miners at the site, north of Greymouth, had pulled out all the stops to get the mine performing.

“Last year Solid Energy threatened to close the mine if the workers went on strike,” he said.

“Our members withdrew their proposed industrial action and have exceeded every target set by the company, yet still they are being told that the mine might close. They have worked incredibly hard and deserve some certainty over their future.”

Solid Energy today told Spring Creek miners that it was investigating a “last option” for keeping the mine open, and would make a final decision in July.

Mr Little said that the fact that another option was being investigated gave the workers some hope.

ENDS

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