Trade unions demand reopening of magnesite mines

Trade Unions have demanded that SAIL reopen its magnesite mines. The mines which are owned by Salem Refractory Unit have been shut since 2017.

Salem (Tamil Nadu): Salem district magnesite Workers Union confederation coordinator MP Sathasivam demanded that magnesite mines owned by Salem Refractory Unit which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SAIL (Salem Steel Plant), be reopened at the earliest considering the livelihood of workers involved in the mining.

Sathasivam urged that the magnesite mines should be reopened for operations ahead of November 9 as it used to be before 2017, the year in which the mines lost its clearance to operate further.

"Instead of pursuing the matter legally and through official channels, the management has chosen to import the magnesite from elsewhere from the world", he accused.

He alleged that there could be someone benefiting from the imports which he suspects could be the reason for SAIL not taking adequate measures to reopen the mines which remain shut for over 45 months.

A mega general body meeting of several workers union which met on Monday at SAIL premises passed resolutions demanding the management to take immediate steps to reopen the mines by obtaining necessary clearances from both the state and central government.

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