BAIE VERTE It’s a major and crucial step in the future and success of operations for Rambler Metals and Mines on the Baie Verte Peninsula.
The company announced last week that they’ve settled on much of their workforce thus far, and are pleased to be posting significant numbers when it comes to their goals of hiring local workers.
Currently, the company has brought on a total of 84 workers. Plans are to get that number up higher in the next few months by bringing on 16 more hourly workers, along with a few more staff, including engineers and geologists.
“When we’re in full operation by the end of July, we’re looking for that number to be around the 120 mark,” said general manger Tim Sanford.
Keeping with their goal to strengthen the area by hiring local workers, Sanford, along with mine superintendant Shaun Gage and director of human resources Corina Pollett, say they’ve kept the percentage of local workers between the 90-95 per cent marks.
“The reason we were able to go local is because the skill set is there,” said Gage.
Out of those 90-plus per cent, Baie Verte is leading the way with 29 per cent, Ming’s Bight and Woodstock are next in line with 17 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.
“Other communities on the peninsula are also represented,” said Sanford. “We’ve got people from Pacquet, Middle Arm, Burlington, Fleur de lys, La Scie, Seal Cove, Shoe Cove — plus some other parts of the region like King’s Point, Springdale and Robert’s Arm, or a bit farther away like Grand Falls-Windsor, Pasadena, or Woody Point.”
However, it’s obvious that no other region is as well represented or in close proximity to being as well represented as the Baie Verte Peninsula.
“That was a specific choice by the company, we wanted to go local as much as possible. If we can strengthen the area, then we’re going to do it. Why send the wages elsewhere? We want to strengthen the local contractors, suppliers — it’s a win for everyone,” said Sanford
Another interesting statistic coming out of the recent hires has been the number of workers the company has brought back to the region.
“A lot of them came from surrounding mines, and now they’re coming home to their own bed at night,” stated Pollett.
She says about 25 workers were recruited from away and a dozen or more were at risk of leaving and didn’t have to thanks to the job here at home.
It all adds up for another staple for Rambler, who has brought significant new life to an area that has seen several years of hardship and down times.
Gage recalls the last time the peninsula saw this much growth in the mining industry.
“I would imagine we’re getting back to the level where Advocate was at one point when it comes to the spin offs,” he said.
At the time, Advocate mines brought substantial employment and infrastructure to the area, much of which is still being felt today.
As for Rambler, they too have plans to contribute to the area.
“We have put a proposal to the town to help fund the new recreation centre that’s being proposed, so we’re certainly involved, and it’s something the company would be very proud to be a part of,” said Sanford.
The Nor’wester
