Newmont?s operation unaffected by labor union?s strike

Copper and gold miner PT Newmont Nusa Tengggara (PTNNT) operation in Batu Hijau mine in West Sumbawa, Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) province is unaffected by the strike by its labor union, the company?s officer told Petromindo on Tuesday.

PR manager Kasan Mulyono said that few employees have been participating in the strike since Monday. ?Until now the strike is still going on but the operation is running normal,? he said.

The labor union is scheduled to hold strike from Aug. 2-10, he said.

On Monday, PTNNT urged unions at the Batu Hijau copper and gold mine to resume negotiations and suspend their unnecessary strike.

On June 24, PTNNT received a letter from NTB?s labor inspector regarding possible overtime payments to employees and PTNNT is seeking legal certainty around the proposed payments. The company?s ability to seek legal certainty was recently confirmed in a July 16 letter from the Head of the Provincial Manpower Office.

The company is expected to produce between 365,000 and 400,000 ounces of gold and between 265 and 290 million pounds of copper this year, respectively

Copper and gold production in the second quarter of this year from its Batu Hijau mine reached 133 million pounds and 169,000 ounces, respectively, up from 114 million pounds and 120,000 ounces produced in last year?s same quarter. (godang)