Friday, 21st September 2007 (1708 views)

Some gold miners in Marathon, Canada plan to travel long distances for work rather than give up their small-town lifestyle, according to the Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal.

Cameco, a Canadian gold mining company based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, told the newspaper that with job cuts at the Hemlo gold mining project in Marathon and operations winding down, miners are beginning to explore their options as to where to go next.

With the Ontario mining industry thriving, miners are in high demand.

But some would rather travel to remote locations to work than give up their established lifestyle in the town.

Marathon mayor Rick Dumas told the Chronicle Journal: "If you didn't have to, why would you leave here when your house is almost paid for, just to go somewhere else and assume a $200,000 [£98,800] mortgage?"

Peter McBride of the Ontario Mining Association told the newspaper that instead of developing new town sites, it is more cost-effective for mining companies running remote operations to cover the cost of food, lodging and air transport for employees, which would allow miners to make long-distance commutes to get to work.

 

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