COAL: Hiring controversy surrounds BC development

BRITISH COLUMBIA – HD Mining International of Vancouver has come under fire for importing Chinese coal miners for its Murray River underground coal mine southwest of Tumbler Ridge. The company received approval from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada to hire 201 temporary foreign workers.

Now it has been revealed that the offers of employment at the Murray River project include the requirement that applicants speak Mandarin. HD Mining is seeking mining engineers, industrial electricians and underground mine workers. Advertised pay rates for these positions range from $25 to $40 an hour.

As part of the Murray River development, HD Mining recently cut the ribbon on a $15-million housing project for temporary workers in Tumbler Ridge. This is the largest single residential development in the town.

A summary of the work done to date at Murray River is available at HDMiningIntl.com.