Breaking News: Layoffs at Anagold Mining, operator of the İliç Gold Mine in Erzincan where 9 workers lost their lives

Anagold Mining, the owner of the mine in the İliç district of Erzincan where 9 workers were trapped under a heap leach pile following a landslide, will lay off thousands of workers.

Following the landslide that occurred on February 13 at the gold mine operated by Anagold Mining, 9 workers were trapped under the heap leach pile. Six months after the disaster, workers began to be laid off on the grounds that 'costs are not being met.'

In an information note sent by the company to the workers, it was stated, "Following the tragic incident that occurred 188 days ago at our mine site, we have all worked with all our might to manage this process in the best way possible. We would like to thank each and every one of you for your dedication and patience during this difficult process. However, the suspension of our production activities and the continued uncertainty have forced us to make some difficult decisions that we did not want but were inevitable."

In the note, which included the statement, "Despite our struggle to keep all our employees (and 3,000 people including our subcontractors) on our payroll for 6 months, we unfortunately have to regretfully terminate the employment contracts of some of our colleagues because we can no longer bear the costs," those to be laid off were listed as follows:

>> "The heap leach operation has been completely terminated, and for this reason, the Oxide Process department has been closed. In this context, oxide employees who cannot be transferred to other departments for now,

>> Those who have received disciplinary penalties, low-performing employees, and retired employees,

>> Those who have been absent for more than 45 days for various reasons,

>> Those selected from among employees whose positions are not needed in the current situation due to suspended activities."

ANAGOLD: WE HAVE PARTED WAYS WITH 187 WORKERS

Anagold Mining issued a written statement regarding the layoffs.

The statement said, "Despite the difficult economic situation we have been in for 6 months following the incident and our efforts not to victimize any of our employees, unfortunately, considering the long-term impact and scope of these works, which will spread over a long period of time, some operational changes have become mandatory. In this direction, we would like to state with regret that we have had to part ways with 187 of our colleagues."

The statement made by Anagold Mining is as follows:

"We would like to express once again our deep sorrow over the landslide that occurred at our Çöpler mine site on February 13, 2024. While trying to heal our wounds, we have made great efforts to ensure that our employees are affected by this process at a minimal level. We owe a debt of gratitude to our employees who did not leave us alone in difficult times and fought shoulder to shoulder with us to revive our work culture and values.

Following the tragic incident, while an intense and difficult work process continues, all our existing resources have been transferred primarily to search, and subsequently to environmental improvement, safety-enhancing measures, and rehabilitation works due to the suspension of our production activities. Despite the difficult economic situation we have been in for 6 months following the incident and our efforts not to victimize any of our employees, unfortunately, considering the long-term impact and scope of these works, which will spread over a long period of time, some operational changes have become mandatory. In this direction, we would like to state with regret that we have had to part ways with 187 of our colleagues.

As a company, we are aware of our responsibilities towards each of our employees who will leave their jobs during these difficult times. All necessary measures have been taken to fully protect the rights of our employees. In addition to their legal rights, support such as additional compensation and re-employment opportunities will be provided to our colleagues who will leave, and this process will be managed with great sensitivity, respecting democratic fundamental rights and freedoms.

In this process, we express our gratitude to all our employees for their contributions to our company and society. We will continue to inform our employees and the public with transparency, as we always have."

News Source: 12punto