221 Mine Workers Face Potential Layoffs As Mosaic Co. Awaits Court Ruling

221 workers at the South Fort Meade mine in Lakeland, FL received layoff notices on July 12. However, the validity of those layoff notices will depend on a pending court ruling.

Judge Henry Lee Adams Jr. of the U.S. District Court in Jacksonsville, FL ruled on Friday to ban the Mosaic Co. from increasing their South Fort Meade Mine until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers review alternative approaches which could be less damaging to the environment.

Adams delivered the ruling after reviewing written and oral arguments from a hearing on July 22.

The executive vice president for Mosaic, Rich Mack, said that he was disappointed by the situation, but still analyzing the judge’s ruling.

“The permits for the Hardee County Extension underwent seven years of regulatory, judicial and public scrutiny are the most stringent of any phosphate mine permits in the history of Florida,” Mack said in a statement issued Friday.

It remains to be seen what will become of the 221 workers at the South Fort Meade mine.  “We are still evaluating the implications of the ruling and what that might mean in regards to the operations,” Mack said.