Bryan, Gibbons, urge mine to seek assistance for laid-off miners

Tuesday, June 29, 1999 | 4 a.m.

BHP of Australia last week announced it was shutting down its copper operations in Nevada and Arizona because of low copper prices.

About 400 workers lost their jobs at the Robinson mine near Ely.

Bryan, D-Nev., said it's unclear what kind of assistance may be available to the workers. But he said the company must make the first step by applying to the Labor Department for worker assistance.

"It is my hope that these workers get the assistance they need, and I am committed to making sure the U.S. Department of Labor considers their request in an expeditious manner," Bryan said.

"Until a formal request is made by the actual employer, it is still unclear if the mine workers are even eligible for federal transitional assistance."

Gibbons, R-Nev., said declining mining prices are taking a heavy toll on rural communities.

"Our rural communities are feeling the brunt of a global downturn in mining," Gibbons said. "Ideally, these communities would experience many more years of economic prosperity from mining. Unfortunately, the reality is just the opposite."