TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Mine workers at Century Mining's San Juan gold mine, in Peru, downed tools on Tuesday morning, the TSX Venture Exchange-listed company reported later in the day.

Century said that the Ministry of Work in Peru had deemed the strike by union members at the San Juan operation to be illegal, which means that the workers will not be paid.

“The Ministry of Work will be working closely with the union and the company to resolve the work stoppage as quickly as possible, and meetings are scheduled for today,” Century said.

Century, which also has a gold operation in Quebec, Canada, said last month it expects to produce 20 000 oz from San Juan in 2010.

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