Mount Polley mine spill: Layoff notices sent to 42 workers

The union local representing Mount Polley mine workers in B.C. says nearlyfour dozen people are losing their jobs following the massive tailings pond spill at the beginning of the month.

The containmentdam at the Mount Polley gold and copper mine failed10 days ago, sending millions of cubic metres of water and minetailings into a creek and two lakes in a remote area of B.C.'sCariboo, about 600 kilometresnortheast of Vancouver.

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United Steelworkers Local 1-425 president Paul French said Thursday that42 workersreceived the layoff notices over the last couple days.

Workers who still have their jobs have stopped grinding ore for the mine, and are insteadfocusing on building a new dike and cleaning up the mess left by the tailings reservoir breach.

French says the future of the mine,and the economic sustainability of the wider area, isuncertain.

"Well, the mine actually has an effect on the entire region. You've got over 380 unionized employees and I think the spinoff from that are probably close to 1,000indirect jobs with contractors,suppliers and everything else. So, it's huge."

French said themine workers getting cleanup dutiesare lucky, but are alsojust living daytoday until they hear from the provincial government what will happen next.

The mine operator, Imperial Metals, has scheduled apublic meeting for Thursday nightto update the community of Likely, B.C.,on cleanup progress.