EIGHT employees sacked by mining contractor Downer EDI Mining in May will return to work at the Idemitsu Coal Mine near Boggabri next month.
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The miners have been rehired in a recent recruitment drive which saw Downer EDI Mining advertise for 70 positions at the Boggabri mine.
“Downer EDI Mining is increasing employee numbers by an extra 70 positions at Boggabri Mine in response to a ramp-up in Idemitsu’s production targets from 4.5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to 4.9 Mtpa from October 1, 2013,” a spokesperson for Downer EDI Mining said.
The company’s decision to axe 87 employee positions and 19 contractor roles in May caused local outrage from within the community. The decision was blamed on a reduction in production targets and an issue with moving sufficient coal to port.
The Downer EDI Mining spokesperson said employees retrenched at that time were contacted individually by the company and encouraged to apply. Eight hundred applications were received for the 70 positions – 33 of these applications were from previously retrenched employees.
“The recruitment process is continuing and is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks however Downer EDI Mining can confirm that 42 offers have been
made to date, eight of which were made to previously retrenched employees.”
It is believed a new roster has also been proposed to come into effect after September 10, where employees work seven days on and seven days off.