Chinese firm will only import 100+ miners, not 400 as previously reported

CIV - The Chinese company that was reported to import 400 miners from China in a northern BC underground coal mining project said it only plans to import 100-200. And the plan is supported by the mayor of Chetwynd, located closest to the mine.

The Gething mine Dehua is seeking to develop is located on a crown land in north eastern BC close to Chetwynd and Fort St. John.

Liu Naishun, president of Canadian Dehua International Mines Group Inc, corrected an earlier report by the mainstream media that his company was to import 400 workers from China. He did plan to build a company of 400, however, most of them would be support staff and surface staff whom Dehua hopes to fill locally.

Unlike what the media, unions and skeptics have criticized against the mining plan, foreign workers aren't Dehua's first choice. Dehua has set priorities for hiring. The first choice is local First Nations, followed by local residents, other Canadians and foreign workers.

Underground coal mines which used to exist in a larger number in the history of BC mining, is now rare. The vast majority of coal mines in BC are surface mines, which require less investment and pose less danger to workers.

Liu said 98% of coal mines in Canada are surface mines. While underground mines do exist, they are usually small scale with annual output at only 50,000 to 80,000 tonnes. However, Gething is expected to have an initial annual output of 2 million tonnes.

If approved by the BC government, Gething will become Canada's largest underground coal mine.

On the other hand, in China, 90% of mines are underground and large-scale, Liu said. The Chinese have the expertise and workers on large underground coal mines.

At the end, Liu said, Dehua is expected to bring in 100-200 foreign miners, depending on how successful local recruitment is.

Chetwynd mayor Evan Saugstad agrees with Liu. Saugstad said Canada basically lacks underground coal miners and it will be very very difficult for Dehua to hire local miners. In addition, residents in northern BC are basically in full employment and nobody is looking for a job.

According to the Dehua's plan, Gething will be serviced by Chetwynd and Fort St. John.

Hiring foreign workers for the Gething project is inevitable, Saugstad said. Saugstad was in Vancouver attending the UBCM last week.

Not only miners are hard to find, Saugstad said another project he knew couldn't even find electricity and explosion technicians, and even truck drivers.

Saugstad hopes the hundreds of Chinese workers expected to be imported to work in Gething could adapt to the local community and perhaps to become Canadian citizens. Liu completely agrees with Saugstad. He said the mine life of Gething is estimated at 40 years, it's in the company's interest that foreign mines brought in could stay as long as they can. Liu said the best place these workers can live is the nearby Chetwynd and Hudson's Hope.

Liu added that mine accidents in China happen mostly to small scale and privately funded mines. For larger scales and state-run mines, accidents are exteremly rare if not none to some.

China's largest steel maker, Shougang, is one of the major investor in Dehua. According to Liu, Shougang will enjoy the priority to select and import coal output from Gething.

According to BC's occupational outlook "BC Work Futures", there are approximately 2,370 people working as underground miners and oil and gas drillers. No number is available for the number of underground coal miners in BC.



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