“We think it's nothing out of this world, because the sale of companies happens every day everywhere”, said, turn, the mayor of Castro Verde. The coordinator of the Mining Industry Workers Union (STIM), Albino Pereira, have a different opinion, since he considered that “nothing good is coming”.
The mayor of Castro Verde said this Tuesday that he hopes that the possible sale of the Neves-Corvo mine company, located in the municipality, be “an act of normal management”, while the sector union expressed concern. “We have little information about the terms of the deal and how it will move forward, but we think it's nothing out of this world, because the sale of companies happens every day everywhere”, the mayor of Castro Verde told Lusa news agency, António José Brito.
Talking about the eventual sale of Somincor, subsidiary of the Lundin Mining group that operates the Neves-Corvo mine, the mayor said he understood these intentions, given the high profitability and social and economic importance of the company. “It is legitimate that Lundin Mining has the perception of, having such an important and valuable asset, the power to monetize and, of course, We understand this as a normal management act within a large economic group”, highlighted.
Noting that “Somincor is the largest employer in the municipality of Castro Verde”, the Alentejo mayor was convinced that, if the deal comes to fruition, “a framework of normality and responsibility” is followed. “We need to have a common sense and calm expectation that this entire process will take place within the greatest normality and, accordingly, we will continue to have a very solid company, generating employment and wealth”, He stressed.
António José Brito recalled that, there are about 20 year old, the company “went through a similar process”, when Lundin Mining bought it from Eurozinc, and that, also at that time, “there was a lot of speculation” about the future. “The company continued to make its way and, now, It is also our confidence that you continue to make your way, with the greatest normality and independently of these processes, that happen everywhere and with all companies”, he added.
The coordinator of the Mining Industry Workers Union (STIM), Albino Pereira, have a different opinion, since he considered that “nothing good is coming”. “It is absolutely certain that it will not be good for workers, because, whoever comes, will come with a desire to ‘clear’ the rights that workers have. This has already been tried in the past and now it will be more of the same”, said.
Albino Pereira even alluded to what happened when new owners entered the Aljustrel mines, also in the district of Beja, in which workers were offered “salaries just above the national minimum wage”. “This is a disgrace for a miner”, reinforced.
The union leader added that “whoever comes next will want to ‘clean up’ – as they say – and put everything at their will.”. “It is a normal procedure in any asset purchase”, noticed. In view of the eventual sale of the Neves-Corvo mine concessionaire, STIM intends to “arrange a meeting with the administration”, announced the coordinator, Albino Pereira.
Somincor has already confirmed, in a statement sent to Lusa, “the existence of exploratory contacts” for the sale of its operation in Portugal. The statement from the Neves-Corvo mine concessionaire comes after news, published by the newspaper “ECO”, to realize Lundin Mining's intention to sell the mining company based in the district of Beja.
According to the news from “ECO”, the proposal presentation phase for the Neves-Corvo mine ends on Wednesday, in an operation that will be conducted by the Banque de Montréal. incorporated in 24 July 1980, Somincor is the concessionaire of the Neves-Corvo mine, that produces, especially, copper and zinc concentrates, as well as silver and lead, and where they work about 2.000 people.
News: Lidador News/ Eco.sapo
