Canadian miner meets Mexican officials over labor dispute

Americas Gold and Silver

24/03/2021 13:39

MEXICO CITY, March 24 (Reuters) - Canadian mining company
Americas Gold and Silver Corp  USA.TO  said late on Tuesday it
had held talks with senior Mexican officials in a bid to resolve
a dispute at one of its mines in the northern Mexican state of
Sinaloa.
    The company has been embroiled in a labor dispute at the
mine, and last week President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador warned
Americas Gold and Silver could have its concession revoked if it
did not accept new trade union representation there.    
    In a statement, the firm said its Chief Executive Darren
Blasutti met with Interior Minister Olga Sanchez, Economy
Minister Tatiana Clouthier and Labor Minister Luisa Maria
Alcalde, as well as Graeme Clark, Canada's ambassador to Mexico.
    Responding last week, the company said it had been subject
to "extortion and organized crime" and described the San Rafael
mine in Cosala as the victim of an illegal blockade.
    In the latest statement, the company said it wanted its
employees to get back to work and pressed for guarantees that
the blockade would end without miners being threatened.
    Americas Gold and Silver said it had proposed to the Mexican
officials that negotiations be held between the interested
parties to create the conditions to reopen the mine.
    The company said it was optimistic about the progress of the
talks and stated that it planned to "continue investing in
Mexico within the framework of the law."

 (Reporting by Raul Cortes; Editing by Nick Zieminski)
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