SODA SPRINGS, Idaho (AP) -- More than 100 workers are being laid off at the Agrium phosphate mine in southeast Idaho.

Mine manager Lin Kramer tells the Idaho State Journal that the Soda Springs mine will shut down on Jan. 1 and stay shut down until the late first quarter of 2010.

Kramer says that the mine currently has a surplus of ore, and the idle period will serve as a means to reduce the inventory.

He says 118 employees will be affected.

The mine produces about 550,000 tons of phosphate a year.

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Information from: Idaho State Journal, http://www.journalnet.com

Copyright 2009 The AP.