80 workers at Mosaic Potash’s Colonsay mine have been told the facility is going to be “idled” for the foreseeable future. This adds to the layoff of 340 workers at the facility this summer as Mosaic continues to deal with weakened demand.

The workers were told of what was going on Tuesday with meetings of what their role is, other opportunities or varying end dates being discussed.

Mosaic’s Sarah Fedorchuk can’t give a timeline as to when the mine could re-open and that it does not affect operations at Mosaic’s other mines in Esterhazy and Belle Plaine.

“This is really a continuation of the idling that we made in August when over 300 employees were laid off.” Fedorchuk said. “We had meetings with those affected on Tuesday to discuss their role, other opportunities or varying end dates as well as providing transitio services and other programs that are being offered.”

While it is a difficult decision to make, Fedorchuk says Mosaic wanted those affected to know what the company’s plan is to allow them to best prepare for their future.