SILVER CITY, N.M. (AP) - Western New Mexico University is working with international mining company Freeport-McMoRan on a mission to prepare welders for work in Grant County’s Chino and Tyrone mines.
The mining company’s New Mexico operations donated $10,000 to the university’s community and workforce development department to buy training equipment and supplies for the welding program.
The Silver City Sun-News reports that the school has begun introducing new processes into the existing welding program and may in the future be able to offer continuing education courses for those already in the industry.
Officials say the goal is to prepare students for employment with Freeport’s copper mining operations in southwestern New Mexico so they can be hired without leaving the community they are rooted in.
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