Dominican Mining announces cease of operations at Cerro Maimón due to labor stoppage

The Dominican Mining Corporation (Cormidom), a branch of Australian Perilya, announced the suspension of operations at the Cerro Maimon mine, in the center of the country, amid a work stoppage.

“To safeguard the integrity of its employees and future operations, the shareholders of Cormidom, which operates the Cerro de Maimón mine, have taken the difficult decision to officially suspend the productive operations of the mine and enter into a maintenance-only process,” the company said in a statement read by its president, Paul Marinko.

The executive said that, for such purposes, they have already initiated all the due processes before the competent authorities.

“Concerning the situation presented with the Cerro de Maimón Mine Workers Union [Sitracema], Cormidom continues to bet on a quick solution through dialogue and mutual respect while we trust in the mediation of the authorities of the Ministry of Labor. And we reaffirm our commitment to the people of Maimón and the surrounding communities”, stated Marinko.

In 2009, Cormidom started its operations in the Cerro Maimón mine, located in the Dominican province of Monseñor Nouel (center) and mainly dedicated to extracting copper and zinc.

It also has approximately six million tonnes of gold and copper reserves.

Since May 6, workers declared a peaceful strike after the company failed to deliver bonuses corresponding to the high profits obtained in April.

A video circulated in social networks showed military officers in charge of order at the site with high-caliber firearms and operating tear gas bombs.

Amid the conflict, Cormidom presented among his proposals to increase the minimum wage to RD$34,000 (about US$612), with staggered increases over the next two years and paternity leave for ten working days.

Marinko recalled that the last renewal of the collective labor agreement with Sitracema dates back to 2020, when, amid the Covid-19 pandemic and with the mine paralyzed, they continued to pay for eight months the full wages.

On August 9, 2022, the company managed to rescue two workers who remained underground for ten days, shocking public opinion.

With information from Sputnik

News Dominican Republic, English news Dominican Republic, Dominican Mining Corporation (Cormidom)