Newmont Minahasa Raya resumes operation after workers end strike

Gold mining company PT Newmont Minahasa Raya has resumed its operation in Minahasa, North Sulawesi after its workers agreed to end strike.

The operation was resumed at 6 p.m. last Friday following a ?constructive dialog? between the company and the company?s SPSI labor union, the company said in a statement.

?We are satisfied with the results of the dialog which was carried out the peaceful way and resulted in a win-win situation for both parties,? company general manager Brant Hinze said.

The company however did not provide details on the agreement.

The workers went on strike Wednesday following the dismissal of their 44 colleagues, forcing the company to halt its operations, except for some important activities, including tailing disposal and environmental monitoring.

According to Newmont, the dismissal was part of the company?s preparation to close its mine next year. The dismissed workers were given a higher severance pay package than the minimum amount required by the government?s regulation.

As a matter of fact, all the workers had agreed with the package in January this year, the company said. But, the striking workers disputed the ?procedure and mechanism? of the dismissal, it added, without further elaboration.

The company is the subsidiary of American mining giant Newmont Corp. (Bodega)