Residents of the Burin Peninsula are reeling after learning that hundreds of people employed at the Fluorspar Mine in St. Lawrence are facing layoffs.

Employees were notified after Canada Fluorspar, which operates the mine, filed for interim receivership, according to Mayor Kevin Pittman.

The mine reopened in 2017 to much fanfare, with the help of a $17-million repayable loan from the provincial government, which is due at the end of this year.

The Department of Natural Resources says officials are in contact with all relevant parties, including the company and receiver, on the status of the mine, to help determine the next steps.

The first shipment of fluorspar from St. Lawrence in more than 30 years went out just six months ago.

Area MHA and former St. Lawrence Mayor Paul Pike says the majority of mine workers live on the Burin Peninsula. He calls the latest news a big blow for the region.

He says fluorspar is trading at higher prices, and with the deposit in St. Lawrence, many thought the mine had longevity.

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Officials are trying to get answers following word that Canada Fluorspar, which operates the mine in St. Lawrence, may have filed for “interim receivership.”

St. Lawrence Mayor Kevin Pittman says the information he has right now is scanty, but his understanding is that the company is contacting all employees today to inform them of the situation.

Pittman says he’s been working the phones all day trying to gather more information on what the status of the mine is and whether any jobs are in jeopardy.

He’s been assured that more information is coming later today. Pittman says any loss of employment at the mine would be devastating to the community. The mine employs a couple of hundred people.