The energy minister says government is having ongoing conversations with Rio Tinto about IOC’s operations in Labrador West, in hopes that the company will be back up to full production as soon as possible.

IOC has had to cut back operations, in part because of an accumulation of waste material they need to get rid of.

Company officials will be in the province May 19th to discuss the issue with government.

AllNewfoundlandLabrador is reporting that the company has decommissioned its electric drill pilot program and is cancelling the purchase of some equipment, while parking other pieces of machinery.

Liberal MHA for Cartwright-L’Anse aux Clair, Lisa Dempster says it’s a big concern.

“We’re talking about the economic engine,” says Dempster, “about 2,000 employees, if we’re going to talk about the contractors and the indirect work, we’re talking about 3,000 and beyond, so when you hear of a company that’s cancelling the order of new equipment, parking existing equipment, decommissioning, it is huge cause for concern.”

Minister Lloyd Parrott addressed the issue with reporters yesterday.

“They’re just really trying to get to a point where they’re functioning at the level they should be. So, for quite a few years, they have not been operating at that level and they’re looking to get back there. I believe their estimated tonnage this year is somewhere around 16 million tonnes. I think their nameplate is somewhere around 23 or 24 million, so they’re looking to get back up around those numbers. Part of that process is cleaning up some of the waste material that was left around some of the pits. As they get to that point, things will be fine.”