Base metal woes — New business plan for Trail

A long-range plan to ensure the financial viability of its smelter complex at Trail, B.C., has been unveiled by Cominco (TSE).

Last year’s plan, laid out by the province’s job protection commissioner, no longer ensures survival during a period of depressed prices and continued oversupply, the company said.

The new plan aims to save $50 million by reducing operating costs and increasing throughput. It also calls for layoffs of about 100 people in July. A shutdown, scheduled for August, has been canceled.

Production improvements will be emphasized at the smelter, key elements being removing bottlenecks and minimizing errors.

Cominco said the plan is one of two prerequisites for completing the modernization of the lead smelter. The other, provincial tax reform, is still outstanding.