Saramacca Mining project expansion faces labor shortages in Suriname

The expansion of the Saramacca Mining project, a partnership between Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname NV and Zijin Rosebel Gold Mines, is expected to create approximately 3,600 new jobs. However, project leaders have expressed concerns regarding a shortage of qualified local workers necessary to fill these positions.

To address this gap, the companies have approached President Jennifer Simons to discuss training solutions. Efforts are being directed toward improving the skills of job seekers through targeted training and collaboration with educational institutions, such as the Natuurtechnisch Instituut (Natin), to develop relevant curricula.

The project aims to be operational by 2027. Both Staatsolie and Zijin have emphasized a preference for local employment over large-scale recruitment of foreign labor to ensure the economic benefits remain within the Surinamese economy.