26 miners of Olmedo bauxite mine secure hope for the future

The ray of hope has glimpsed through the gloomy cloud in the region, as it found the agreement to secure the future of the 26 miners of the Olmedo bauxite mine, where the mining operation has been ceased post-2015. The terms of the new contractual platform were approved by the parties via teleconference.

The trade union representatives, the corporate RSUs, Alberto Urpi, the cabinet head of the regional councillor for industry and Michele Caria, sole director of IGEA, the regional in-house company that deals with the management of mining activities participated.

The agreement succeeds for the extension of the current contract, which is expiring on 30^th November and now it will remain active until 20^th May 2022. A technical gap for 20 days will follow, after which new contracts with IGEA will resume until 31^st December 2023. However, by this last date, they must work towards stabilization paths for all the 26 miners for whom certainty finally arrives, after months of great concern.

Anita Pili, the satisfied regional councillor for the industry said: "An agreement that starts from afar and to which we worked quickly as councillor. Today a very important basis has been laid for these workers, a process that will have to end with stabilization."

The distressed miner of the Olmedo bauxite mine has also expressed optimism. Emilio Fois, MSW of Olmedo miners said: “A solution that fully satisfies us. The Councillorship has kept its commitments and now we will be able to look at our future with greater serenity. We will monitor every deadline and content of the signed agreement.”

In the Olmedo mine, within the timeframe of the agreement just signed, it will therefore be necessary to proceed with the reclamation and safety of the site, as well as the return of the land to the private individuals who own it.