Xstrata Copper Canada announced that it will permanently cease operation of its copper and zinc metallurgical plants at the Kidd Metallurgical Site in Timmins on May 1, 2010. The Kidd mine and concentrator will remain in operation.
“We have investigated options to improve the situation and after careful consideration have made this difficult decision to permanently shut down the Kidd zinc and copper plant,”said Claude Ferron, Chief Operating Officer for Xstrata Copper Canada.
Xstrata expects roughly 670 employees will be impacted as a result of this decision. An early retirement incentive will be offered to all eligible employees, unionized employees will be treated in accordance with the collective agreement and where possible, employees will be offered the possibility to work at other Xstrata operations, according to an Xstrata release.
The company will remain a major employer in Timmins, focusing its efforts and investments on the Kidd Mine and the concentrator.
Headquartered in Brisbane, Xstrata Copper is one of the commodity business units within the major global diversified mining group Xstrata plc. Its mining and metallurgical operations and development projects span eight countries: Australia, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Canada, the USA, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea.
