# Labor and safety disputes at Cerro Negro mine

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/labor-and-safety-disputes-at-cerro-negro-mine
> Updated: 2026-09-23T16:04:43.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 3.

Labor unions AOMA and ASIMRA in Santa Cruz, Argentina, expressed formal support for provincial government inspections at Newmont’s Cerro Negro mine. These inspections, conducted by the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security, identified serious safety and hygiene violations. Government official Sebastián Santillán noted that the inspection required police intervention after officials faced obstacles attempting to enter the facility.

Following negotiations with provincial authorities, Newmont has gradually resumed operations at the Cerro Negro site. This resumption was contingent upon government demands regarding safety, hygiene, and labor regulations, including compliance with Law 90/10 regarding local employment. 

Javier Aravena, the Secretary of Labor and Social Security for Santa Cruz, detailed subsequent government actions following a seven-hour working meeting involving Newmont, provincial executives, and labor unions. These discussions focused on implementing modifications to address safety and hygiene observations, improving labor relations, and reactivating Safety Committee meetings. Aravena emphasized that the administration, under Governor Claudio Vidal, is prioritizing worker protection to ensure ‘more and better work for the people of Santa Cruz.’ The provincial government intends to continue including labor union representatives in discussions to establish consensus on operational standards.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-23: Santa Cruz officials address labor safety at Cerro Negro mine

Santa Cruz labor officials held extensive meetings with Newmont representatives to address safety and hygiene improvements at the Cerro Negro mine following recent inspections.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santa-cruz-officials-address-labor-safety-at-cerro-negro-mine

### 2026-09-15: Newmont resumes Cerro Negro operations following Santa Cruz agreement

Newmont has resumed operations at the Cerro Negro gold mine in Santa Cruz, Argentina, after reaching an agreement with provincial authorities regarding safety standards and local employment laws.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/newmont-resumes-cerro-negro-operations-following-santa-cruz-agreement

### 2026-09-12: Santa Cruz unions back inspections at Newmont's Cerro Negro mine

Labor unions in Santa Cruz support government inspections at Newmont’s Cerro Negro mine following reports of serious safety violations and previous fatal accidents at the site.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santa-cruz-unions-back-inspections-at-newmonts-cerro-negro-mine

---
Cite as: Labor and safety disputes at Cerro Negro mine. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/labor-and-safety-disputes-at-cerro-negro-mine