RE:Why is Florence still operating and MIN is still closed?
Florence Copper was already operational before the COVID-19 outbreak.
It is a smaller operation at this time. Currently, Florence Copper is operating its Production Test Facility (PTF). The PTF is a one to two year demonstration of in-situ copper recovery. The PTF is a small-scale test facility with 4 injection wells and 20 recovery wells.
MIN has: 57 total wells: 41 production wells and 16 compliance wells.
Startup operations usually require more people than a steady state operation. Therefore more difficult to maintain social distancing.
However mining is considered an essential business in Arizona.
https://www.florencecopper.com/copper-wire/covid-19-update