On August 24, 2015 ASARCO announced plans to lay off 77 workers by August 30. The reduction is a result of the planned shut down the concentrator operation.
According to the Arizona Silver Bullet, the concentrator currently sees 27,400 tons a day, while the facility’s smelter processes 720,000 tons a year.
An internal memo from Augustin Trevino reads: “The unions were provided with a list of potentially selected employees. Once the list is finalized, the Union(s) will be given a copy of that list as well. In additionn, a notice was sent to the union(s) advising of the company’s proposed plans of an indefinite shut down of the Hayden Concentrator.”
Nearly 100 more employees face lay off between Oct. 22, 2015 and Nov. 5, 2015 and the proposed action will affect a total of 170 workers.