PotashCorp suspends Picadilly mine in N.B., cuts 430 jobs

Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan is indefinitely suspending its Picadilly mine operation near Sussex, N.B.

The move is expected to result in the loss of 420 to 430 jobs.

Mark Fracchia, the president of PCS Potash and a former general manager for the New Brunswick mine, told a news conference that the decision to suspend operations at the mine was "extremely difficult."

"This is just a very sad day for all of us. Most of all to the people who have given us so many years of loyal service, for the community of Sussex, for the province generally and certainly for all of us at PotashCorp," Fracchia told reporters.

"We had high hopes for Picadilly and my heart goes out to all the people who have worked so very hard for so long in building and operating the mine."

The executive said the New Brunswick mine was the most expensive of its operations because of the geology in the province.

He said the decision had more to do with global market forces and he said there was little the provincial government could have done to help the corporation.

Sussex Mayor Marc Thorne said he was in "disbelief" when he heard about the corporation's decision to suspend mine operations.

"It is just heartbreaking to hear this news today," Thorne said.

The mayor said he's unsure how the community will fill the economic hole.

All our high-paying jobs in the community are gone as of this morning.- Deon Alcock, contractor in Sussex

"The jobs have been well-paying jobs and quite frankly I don't see how they can be replaced," he said.

Deon Alcock, an independent contractorworker in the area, said the news took people in the areaby surprise.

"All our high-paying jobs in the community are gone as of this morning," he said.

"I think they are in the same boat as everybody else. They are surprised and thinking about other alternatives. But right nowas we sit,there isn't many alternatives for anything in New Brunswick or Alberta."

RAW: Sussex reacts to mine news

9 years ago

Duration 2:02

Sussex residents react to news that PotashCorp is suspending its New Brunswick operations

'Devastating' impact on Sussex

Progressive Conservative MLA Bruce Northrup, who represents the communities surrounding the potash mine, said the news is "devastating" for the region.

"The local economy depends upon it, whether it is car dealerships, or Tim Hortons or shopping at the mall. It is definitely going to affect the area for sure," Northrup said on Tuesday.

The company saida core crew of about 35 will be kept on at Picadillyforcareandmaintenance of the operation.

The local MLA said he hopes if the potash marketrebounds, the mine could reopen.

Northrupused the suspension of operationsat the potash mine to take a shot at the moratorium of shale gas that was imposed by Premier Brian Gallant'sgovernment.

"The Liberals, the four years we were in government, they said we put all our eggs into one basket. There are no eggs in the basket there right now. The eggs are all gone," he said.

"They mismanaged the energy and resource sector to the point where there are no eggs in the basket. I'm demanding that Premier Gallant and the energy minister get involved in this directly and at least give them ... a secure source of natural gas for the potash mine."

PotashCorp'sFracchia said the shale gas moratorium "really had no bearing" on the decision.

New Brunswick MP DominicLeBlancsaid the federal government must step up to help the hundreds of laid-off workers at the potash mine.

"We arecertainly open to finding the best way quickly to help these workers. Our government is committed to an agenda of aggressive economic development and investing in all kinds of things that will create jobs," LeBlanc said.

"It is exactly this kind of time where the people of New Brunswick should see the government of Canada suit up and step up to help and that is exactly what we're going to do."

The federal cabinet minister said there are no easy replacements for the high wages and long-term employment that the mine offered.

LeBlancsaid the short-term measures may be limited to providing employment insurance and helping with training.

RAW: Federal reaction to Sussex mine suspension

9 years ago

Duration 4:54

Government House Leader Dominic LeBlanc and Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr react to news that PotashCorp is suspending operations at its Sussex mine

Capital savings for Potash

The company said more than 100 open positions inits Saskatchewan operations will beavailable to New Brunswick employees, along with relocation assistance.

The company said the suspension of its New Brunswick operation will allow it to:

• Improveproduction at lower-cost operations.
• Save money on capital expenditures.
• Maintain long-term flexibility.
• Preserve company jobs over the longterm.

"We expect to increase our competitiveness and reduce cost of goods sold by $40 [million]-$50million, which will be offset by severance and transitioncosts.

PotashCorp says the suspension will also eliminate $50million in capital spending this year and another $135million in 2017-18.

The company's international customerswho were historically served by the New Brunswick operation will now be served from Saskatchewan through Canpotex.

PotashCorp's storage and loading facilities at the port in Saint John will be made available to Canpotex.

The annual cost of careandmaintenance at the Picadilly mine is estimated at $20 million in 2016 and $15million in subsequent years.

The company said if it ever decides to resume production in New Brunswick, it will take about one year to get the mine back in operation.

New Brunswick employeeswho do not remain at Picadilly or choose not to relocate to Saskatchewanwill be given severance and assistance packages.

PotashCorp said it will establish a $5-million fund to:

• Help employees with job transition assistance, including skills training and education support.
• Provide financial support to local business.
• Support local charities.