The Constituent Press

[Portamia]

 

BORRIC MINE WORKERS ON STRIKE

Lead Reporter: Holly Winäna

The Kedi Logistics mine located in the small village of Var has reached a standstill as Borric miners are demanding better equipment to those descending into its depths. They claim that the outdated headlamps and harnesses led to the death of Uutyar Nätii, a Borric worker who fell after his harness broke mid-descent. The 87 miners partaking in the strike cite that the contract that was signed on their employment guaranteed "cutting-edge equipment to ensure workplace safety", which they feel has not been honoured. Claims that there is also a "lack of supervision from management for less experienced staff"  is also a large contributor to workplace injuries in the Var mine. This marks the third accidental death associated with Kedi Logistics.

Var, a village with a population of only 873, is very much dependent on the mine for employment, which has faced financial strain lately after the recent 'Mica Coal Law' passed through the CNTA which severely limits the maximum number of coal that can be excavated from the mine in a month as a method of slowing down climate change. This is the first mine in the Federation to have suffered a blow from this law, primarily due to the lack of infrastructure in Borria and the ongoing safety concerns.

Kedi Logistics have yet to provide the Constituent Press with a comment on the issue. Prime Minister and head of the centre-left United People's Party Mihkkal Dil praised the miners for exercising their rights to protest, but feels the issue is "not to be interfered with by the central government", stating that any interference would "violate Portamia's pledges of semi-autonomy to Borria" and left the issue to local authorities if it escalates.

Nätii's body was recovered shortly after the incident, allowing his family to give him a proper Karspii burial.

Edited January 7, 2020 by Portamia (see edit history)

[Portamia]

KEDI LOGISTICS RESPONDS TO VAR MINERS, ADDRESSES COAL LAW

Lead Reporter: Holly Winäna

A representative from Kedi Logistics has responded to the workers of Var mine, who ceased working because of the dwindling safety conditions, with a short speech outlining how the company will take "suitable precautions". The striking miners have since asserted their desire for more of Kedi Logistics' budget to be assigned towards upholding health and safety standards, citing the consequences of the potential failure of a health and safety inspection which it may face. No violence has erupted from this strike, but some members have gone as far as to graffiti vulgar language on Kedi Logistics-owned vehicles. Var Mine is one of the many larger mines to feel the crunch of Mica Odron's Coal Law passed through the CNTA a few weeks prior, leading to the widespread cutting back of services like the worker's canteen and safety equipment across all KL-owned facilities. Kedi Logistics make high amounts of revenue from their coal mines dotted around Borria and western Portamia, areas with the largest concentrations of coal in the Federation. Whether or not KL will comply with these terms is unknown.

The Mica Coal Law was put in place as a method of lessening the Federation's impact on the environment, setting a maximum amount of coal that can be excavated from each mine owned by a company in a month. Many predict that this will lead to a rise in coal prices domestically and will lead to the Federation becoming increasingly reliant on coal exports, An increase in coal prices may also lead to a rise in KL's profits by selling the coal directly to local power plants, though at a reduced amount due to the new caps.

Whilst Portamia is not known for its coal industry, usually only unearthing just under 3,000,000 tonnes annually, it still creates a decent stream of revenue for the Federation. Coal mined in Borria is the most commonly exported, whilst Western Portamian coal and imported coal tend to go towards one of the five coal power plants that dot the country. Rural communities are increasingly becoming reliant on wind power and locally-sourced peat for heat, decreasing the need for the extraction of coal, whilst cities like Tiskin and Ronaker utilise most of the power that these facilities offer to keep up with their steady rise in population.

Coal mining operations have been a source of controversy for a long time within the Federation. Large coal companies like KL have historically pushed small Borric communities out of their villages to make space for mines, lodgings and garages. The most notable example of this is Kedi Logistics' expulsion of 273 Borric citizens from the small community of Unllär to make room for an open-pit mine in the area. A minority of Unllär's citizens openly spoke out against the actions of KL, but were reportedly mocked and berated by some of the future mine's staff. Bulgan Raa, the elected Yrl of Borria at the time, did not grant permission for the establishment of the mine as KL had recently received a series of complaints in regard to the legitimacy of some of its key member's credentials and falsified mine experience and did not feel that the province would benefit from more potential controversy and mismanagement of Borria's natural resources. Calls for the nationalisation of coal mining in order to stop KL's gradual takeover of the Federation's mining industry faced a quick spike in popularity due to the media explosion that followed from this, but those calls have since decreased. Those critical of the nationalisation calls cite the current CNTA cabinet's majority negative position on fossil fuels as "potentially industry-sinking" and "short-sighted".