Hourly rates of $C30-35 an hour ($US24-28/hr) have been included in various fulltime job advertisements as part of a recruitment drive for Cline’s Donkin operating subsidiary Kameron Coal.
Through a LinkedIn site, Cline said it was looking for chief electricians, underground electricians, mine foremen, section foremen, plus continuous miner and roof bolt operators.
“We are only recruiting safety conscious, experienced, highly motivated players who want to earn top rates and who wish to work with like-minded miners,” Cline said 10 days ago.
Cline said it offered Donkin recruits “above-market pay rates”, bonus programs, regular work schedules plus travel and relocation assistance.
The maritime province’s transport and infrastructure minister, Geoff MacLellan, has told CBC that Cline would initially hire 90 to 120 people to start operations.
Talks are reportedly underway for the future mine to supply thermal coal to Nova Scotia Power.
Cline acquired a 75% stake of Donkin off Glencore for an undisclosed sum in January, while it bought the other 25% off Toronto-listed Morien Resources Corporation for $C5.5 million over three staged payments.
Donkin is expected to produce about 3.6 million tonnes annually, probably from longwall and continuous miner operations, for a projected 30-year lifespan.
The project received approval from Nova Scotia Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau in July 2014.