A NORTHERN NEW MEXICO COMMUNITY IS BRACING FOR A MAJOR ECONOMIC HIT. QUESTA, JUST NORTH OF TAOS, HAS BEEN HOME TO THE CHEVRON MOLYBDENUM MINE FOR 98 YEARS. NOW THE COMPANY HAS ANNOUNCED IT'S CLOSING THE OPERATION, LEAVING 300 WORKERS WITHOUT A JOB.
THE CALIFORNIA BASED COMPANY SAYS THE DEMAND FOR MOLYBDENUM IS DOWN AND IT'S NOT COVERING THE COST OF OPERATING THE MINE. THE WORKERS HAVE RECEIVED 60 DAY NOTICES, WHICH IS MANDATED BY FEDERAL LAW.
THE POPULATION OF QUESTA IS AROUND 2-THOUSAND.
