White Pine refinery to close in August 2010

WHITE PINE -- They've weathered economic storms in the past.  But residents in Ontonagon County say there aren't many options for workers at the White Pine Refinery, facing a plant closure next year.

It's been refining copper at record production for the past few years--76,000 short tons of copper cathodes last year alone.  Still, the White Pine Refinery is scheduled to close in a little over a year.

The plant's owner, HudBay, is closing its copper smelter in Manitoba, Canada by next July, leaving the White Pine Refinery without a copper source.

"I contacted everybody personally and explained what our plans could be," said Plant Manager, Dick Barlock, "and I think it's early to speculate right now."

Employees at the refinery pass an electric current through a solution to remove impurities from copper anodes.  The finished product is used mostly to make copper rods and wiring.

Many employees have worked at the refinery since it opened in 1982 when the Copper Range Mine was booming in the 1980s.  It closed in 1995.

"Here we go again," said Chief Engineer, Tom Repaal.  "I've been through this twice now.  Here we go again."

A few people drive a distance to work at the refinery, but most of the people live in Ontonagon County.  Of the 61 employees, 32 live in the county and 14 live in White Pine.  And with only 300 remaining households in White Pine, some residents say losing the township's largest employer could turn the town into a retirement, seasonal community.

"Over half the houses in this town aren't even lived in by local people," said Silver City resident, Jack Schilman.  "It's just people that were able to afford them and use them for recreational purposes."

The refinery is scheduled to close in August of 2010.