Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Suriname gold mine workers could be back at work this week
02-14-2007

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters): Iamgold Corp. said on Monday that workers at its Suriname gold mine, where production has been halted for more than two weeks, are expected to start returning to work later this week.

"Production can be resumed within about 48 hours of the opening of the plant," Iamgold said in a statement.

Iamgold said on Jan. 26 that it had suspended output at the Rosebel gold mine after a number of workers started what it termed an illegal strike.

The union representing workers at the mine and the company are trying to negotiate a first collective agreement.

Toronto-headquartered Iamgold said in a statement on Monday that an offer was made to employees last week, which included "a substantial wage increase, increased vacation and benefits, and a lump sum payment to employees to reward the good work thus far on the project."

A union representative could not immediately be reached for comment.

Although the agreement has not yet been accepted, workers at Rosebel have requested to return to work, Iamgold said. But management has not yet let them, citing repairs to the mine after damage caused by workers.

Repairs are expected to be finished by the middle of the week when a "progressive return to work will begin", Iamgold said.

Iamgold got the South American mine with its acquisition of fellow Canadian gold producer Cambior. Rosebel, located about 100 km (60 miles) south of the Suriname capital of Paramaribo, was Cambior's key asset and was expected to produce about 335,000 ounces of gold in 2006.