THUNDER BAY — The union representing workers at Impala Canada's palladium mine at Lac des Iles is disputing the company's rationale for shutting down operations next year.
Impala has said that due to lower market prices, the mine isn't generating enough cash to keep it sustainable, but the United Steelworkers union maintains "there remains plenty of opportunity at the mine site."
In a statement issued Tuesday, USW staff representative Cody Alexander said "This is very unfortunate news. We had in-depth discussions in collective bargaining with the employer last October, and they went to great efforts to show us that there was no concern of the mine closing in our three-year term."
"Now, six months later, they are announcing a complete closure mid-contract."
Alexander said palladium prices are rising, and that "there is plenty of material left to process underground."
About 750 people are employed at the mine, situated 90 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.
Alexander noted that its closure will not only directly impact Impala's workers, but will have ripple effects in surrounding communities.
"The government needs to start looking into this to see if they can help, and we will be doing our part to inform them," he said.
