Consunji-led Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) is cutting its workforce anew amid significant seawater inflows threatening its Acacia coal mine operations.
On Friday, it reported that the flow rate had already climbed to about 30,000 cubic meters per hour, massive inflows that could fill 12 Olympic-sized swimming pools every hour.
As the situation reduces its operations, particularly the stripping activities in the area, SMPC has decided to let go of 996 employees.
‘Managing these seawater inflows over the longer term requires substantial investment in pumping equipment, power systems and other infrastructure. Uncertainty surrounding the coal bid round complicates planning for these investments,’ it said.
‘Without adequate capital spending, the risk of flooding and losing access to Acacia’s remaining coal reserves increases,’ SMPC added.
SMPC said it was working closely with the Department of Energy on the operating challenges and longer-term options.
While this year’s target remains intact, the current woes at the Acacia mine site will affect 2027 coal production, the company said.