Northern New York mine lays off more than half its workers

A zinc mine that opened last June in northern New York has announced it's laying off more than half its workforce.

Titan Mining says it's laying off 108 workers and keeping 87 at Empire State Mines in the St. Lawrence County town of Fowler. Town Supervisor Michael Capellino tells North Country Public Radio the news took him by surprise.

The company says the downsizing was necessary to ensure a strong future for the mine.

The Canadian company that previously owned the mine shut it down in 2008 due to low zinc prices. The mine reopened last year after a $33 million investment by Titan as well as state grants, loans and cheap hydropower.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo trumpeted the mine as an economic driver when it opened last June.