Shut Down Of Myra Falls Mine?
More than 270 Unifor members at the Myra Falls mine on Vancouver Island face an uncertain employment future after the announcement this week that the mine will suspend operations.
“We’re disappointed that there was no work-around for a full-scale shut-down,” said Bill Garton, President of Unifor Local 3019. “We will be working with the company to get the mine fully operational as soon as possible.”
The Nyrstar-owned ore mine will idle for an unspecified amount of time, but likely between a few months and a year. Unifor says that the mine is not depleted and that a combination of economic factors occasionally leads to a decision by management to close the mine for periods of time.
“There is a bright future for this mine, but periodic shut-downs are disruptive to our members and to the communities around Strathcona Park,” said Scott Doherty, Assistant to Unifor’s National President.