Several western mines are interested in speaking with the Lucky Friday employees who are losing their jobs because the Hecla mine has been closed.
Idaho Department of Labor Silver Valley Office Supervisor Sara Lamson said US Silver, Coeur d’Alene Mines and Barrick Gold will attend a Community Resource Fair Jan. 19 in Wallace. Neumont Mining Corp., Still Water Mine and Shasta Gold Corp. of Redding, Calif., have also expressed interest in attending or providing information on available job openings.
Department of Labor consultants will be there to determine eligibility for special training programs and help people with their job and career searches, interviewing skills and résumé development. Officials from North Idaho College will also be on hand to answer questions about education and training opportunities, and representative from the Panhandle State Bank will discuss financial issues. Representatives from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, the Community Action Program, the Shoshone County Free Health Clinic and other community agencies are also expected to attend.
According to agency economic analysts, closure of the Lucky Friday and loss of more than 300 jobs could reduce income in the Silver Valley by over $25 million if it lasts for a year.
The Resource Fair will run tomorrow from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Commons at the Wallace Junior/Senior High School, 1 Miners Alley in Wallace.
For more information, call Lamson at 783-1202 ext. 3553.