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Rumors have been circling the community and social media about a 170 person lay off coming to the ASARCO concentrator in Hayden following an online article from the Arizona Silver Belt. Copper Area News, has been unable to confirm that these lay off numbers are true through official company sources.
After much research online a memo from ASARCO was posted in a Facebook group that states 77 positions at the Ray Mine would be affected in the “reduction of force” and employees would be let go on August 30, 2015. This memo does not address lay offs at the concentrator in Hayden as the Silver Belt article stated. They sourced a letter from ASARCO to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Recent reports that the smelter and concentrator are going to be shut down indefinitely for repairs has been shared. Those repairs are coming after the Environmental Protection Agency has mandated these repairs for air quality and environmental safety.
Copper Area News made several attempts to contact ASARCO for official comment and information on these impending lay offs.
Mila Besich is a resident of Superior with two children. She volunteers for many local organizations. She is an experienced fundraiser and event planner for Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition. She covers some of the area town councils and schools.
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