Copper giant Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold isnβt planning significant operational changes at its Sierrita Mine 20 miles southwest of Tucson.
But the company preliminarily expects to lay off about 150 Sierrita workers by the end of the year due to organizational changes, the company said.
βSierrita is not making any significant changes to its operating plans. Mining and processing are expected to continue at its current rates,β the company told the Star in an email.
βChanges are being implemented in the organizational structure of the operation, creating improved efficiencies in operations and administrative functions. These changes are expected to be fully implemented before year-end 2015. Our preliminary estimate is that there will be a reduction in the workforce of approximately 150 jobs.β
On Thursday, Freeport announced plans to cut about 10 percent of employees and contractors at U.S. mining operations, as part of a wider effort. Freeport has 5,800 workers in Southern Arizona.
