By Tom Ayers

March 22, 2019 - In Canada, Nova Scotia's Donkin coal mine, which has been operating at limited capacity since January due to safety concerns, is looking for more workers willing to go underground.

Recruiting firm Gardiner Mining and Resources plans to hold a job fair Friday in Sydney.

A coal truck gets ready to leave the Donkin mine, which is running at limited capacity due to safety concerns.

Photo by Tom Ayers, CBC

A newspaper ad from the recruiter says experience is not required, but training will be provided.

A couple of resumes are shoved under the door of the Gardiner Mining and Resources office in Glace Bay. The company is holding a job fair in Sydney to find workers for the Donkin coal mine.

Photo by Tom Ayers, CBC

The Nova Scotia Labor Department temporarily shut down the mine over safety concerns in January after roof cave-ins last year.

The mine is back in operation at limited capacity while the province considers its new safety plan.

The coal shafts extend several kilometres under the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Donkin, but operator Kameron Coal is only allowed to work on a section that is less than 500 metres long due to unstable roof rock.

Contractors for Kameron Coal are currently building a road from Glace Bay to the Old Airport Road on Route 4 to divert Donkin mine coal trucks away from residential areas.

Photo by Tom Ayers, CBC

Shannon Campbell, vice-president of the Donkin mine, would only say the company is always looking for local employees to complement existing staff.

He told CBC News in an email the company has submitted a ground control procedure to the province outlining its new safety plan and is looking forward to getting back into full production.

Friday's job fair is scheduled to be held at Sydney's Holiday Inn from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.