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Rising Price for Molly Means Uncertain Future for Mountain Towns
December 5, 2007 10:51 AM
KRCC's Michelle Mercer interviews Rico Mayor Joe Croke
One of the world's biggest copper mining companies says it will spend half-a-billon dollars to reopen the historic Climax molybdenum mine southwest of Denver. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. says it will hire from 150 to 500 workers between now and next spring. After the initial construction phase, the work force will level off at about 350 when production begins in 2010. The decision to re-open the mine comes as international demand has grown for molybdenum, which is used primarily for strengthening steel. There are at least two other potential molybdenum mines that could open in Colorado in the near future. One, near Crested Butte, faces lots of local opposition. The other could open near the little town of Rico, in the far southwestern corner of the state. KRCC's Michelle Mercer reports on how the town is reacting.
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Posted by Eric Whitney on December 5, 2007 10:51 AM | Permalink
