KIA seeking jobs for Lupin miners

NNSL (Jan 19/98) - The Kikitmeot Inuit Association has identified 20 jobs for laid off Lupin miners.

Earlier this month, Echo Bay Mines Ltd. announced the mothballing of its Lupin mine and that layoffs would hit almost 500 people over the next two months.

About 80 Northeners are affected -- about 50 of them in Cambridge Bay and Kugluktuk and the remainder in Yellowknife.

After the announcement, representatives of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, the hamlets of Cambridge Bay and Kugluktuk, GNWT and private sector members, met in Cambridge Bay Jan. 9 to discuss employee assistance.

A working committee was formed to gather information, interview laid off workers and make sure workers are aware of new job programs.

The Kitikmeot Inuit Association and the Kitikmeot Economic Development Commission said it will attempt to secure jobs in other mining and exploration projects currently taking place in the region.

Lupin is located about 85 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle and is Canada's most northern gold mine.