Peñasquito Mine Receives Visit From State Governor

Newmont’s Peñasquito mine received a visit from the governor of Zacatecas, David Monreal Ávila, who called in on the mine to examine the working conditions of employees and the commitments that Peñasquito made with neighboring communities.

Moreover, Monreal also met with local suppliers that form part of the Local Peñasquito Supplier Platform, with which the company prioritizes Zacatecas-based merchants and service providers as part of its commitment to the economic development of the region.

Recently, the company announced it reached an agreement following negotiations headed by Morena Senator and President of the National Union of Mining, Metallurgical, Iron, Steel and Similar Workers of the Mexican Republic (SNTMMSSRM), Napoleón Gómez. Under the agreement, the company agreed to pay its 2,500 unionized employees an uncapped bonus of up to 10 percent, costing the company around US$70 million, similar to the payments of 2021’s production results. According to the company, the agreement was reached without strikes and via a respectful dialogue between the company and the workers represented by Gómez. The accord will also ensure continued operation at the Peñasquito unit toward the future.

Furthermore, Rob Atkinson, Operations Director, Newmont Peñasquito, expressed his pride in the development achieved at the mine and the importance of the relationship between the government, the company and  communities. Atkinson pointed out that strengthening this bond is imperative to assure a win-win situation for all parties. Bernard Wessels, General Manager, Peñasquito, said that Newmont keeps investing and expanding to offer the best quality of life to its workers.

Monreal said he was pleased with his visit because he could verify the well-being and comfortable working conditions of the staff in person. Moreover, he was pleased to attest that most of the workers there were from Zacatecas.

Newmont is a US-based mining company. It operates in North and South America, as well as in Australia and Africa and is the only gold producer listed in S&P 500 Index. Its Peñasquito operation is one of the most important gold projects in Mexico, via which the company has produced over 50,000oz of gold, which represents 20 percent of the national production of the precious metal.