Tohajiilee, NM - Today, Harry Teague applauded the more than 500 new jobs that are being created near Silver City with the re-opening of the Chino Mine. Freeport-McMoran Copper and Gold plans to restart mining and milling operations at the mine to significantly  increase production at the site, which is currently producing only minimal amounts of copper. The new operation will create 570 new jobs for the region with hiring to begin in November.

"The mining industry has a long legacy in New Mexico and has employed thousands of New Mexicans for decades. It is critical that we support the companies and business leaders who are actively working to create jobs and boost our industries here in America," said Harry Teague, who kicked off his 'Make It in America' tour earlier this month highlighting local industries and businesses dedicated to creating American jobs. "The restarting of operations at the Chino mine is an exciting opportunity to put New Mexicans back to work in an industry that is so important to our state and our national economy. Investments like these will have a huge impact on our communities, not only in the jobs that will be created and the impact on our local economy but also in keeping southern New Mexico industries competitive in America and across the world."

Planned mining and milling rates are expected to be achieved by the end of 2013. Incremental production of 100 million pounds per annum is expected in 2012 and 2013 and 200 million pounds in 2014. At December 31, 2009, Chino's reserves, excluding metal in stockpiles, totaled 1.1 billion pounds of copper. The company reports that reserves would increase significantly due to the high demand for copper across the world. Mining and milling activity operations at open-pit mine, once the largest in the world, had been suspended late in 2008.

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