Duck Pond Mine workers prepare for end-of-month closure

As the Duck Pond Mine in central Newfoundlandprepares to close at the end of the month, public consultation sessions are being held by the mining company to discuss the pending closure with employees and community members.

Teck Resources'Duck Pond copper and zincmine, the island's largest underground mine, is located near Millertown.

However, the closure will create a ripple effectthat goes beyond central regions, with the west coast community of St. George's losing a major employer.

Mayor Danny Conway said Western Logging Limited handled shipments of ore from the port in the community, meaning12 people will losetheir jobs.

There are alsoseveral others from the community who worked at the mine on rotations.

Given the year-and-a-half notice of closure, Conway said the town has been preparing for the loss.

"There are things ongoing,I think it's [going to]work out ... couple of years down the road," Conway said.

"We got people moving back into town now that went away in the 80s [who are]moving back home, building new homes and that now. So that's a positive thing, and I'm sure everything will work out in the end."

The port's deep water and ice-free features continue to make it attractive for future business, Conway said.

TeckResources said last year thatit couldn't find any more deposits in the immediate area to extend the life of the operation.

The mine has been operating since 2007.

The first of four public meetings will be held at St. George's on Friday at the Parish Hall. Similar sessions will be held in Buchans, Millertown and Badger.