NATCHEZ &045;&045; Depending on when and if International Paper can find a buyer for parts of its Natchez mill, demolition of the facility could begin as early as this summer.

That’s according to Mill Manager Steve Olsen, who also confirmed talks are still ongoing with the Natchez-Adams County Economic Development Authority about the possible purchase of the facility.

Meanwhile, decommissioning of the mill &045;&045; tidying up of facilities and equipment &045;&045; is 99 percent complete.

The 50-year-old mill closed July 31 to due market factors, leaving 600-plus people to find other jobs or transfer to other IP locations.

Olsen confirmed Friday IP officials also are having discussions with possible demolition contractors.

He would not name a specific time by which the company would decide whether to demolish the facility or, if it does, what parts would be leveled.

He did say that demolition could start as early as this summer and would take about 12 to 18 months to complete.

But first, the company has to see what parts of the mill, if any, it can sell, Olsen said. While he would not give specifics, Olsen said IP is still having &uot;ongoing discussions about (divesting itself of) parts of the mill.&uot;

Those talks have included several discussions with the EDA about the possibility of purchasing parts of the mill.

&uot;We have office facilities and warehouse space,&uot; which would probably be the most widely marketable parts of the mill, he said.

&uot;We’re still in discussions with IP, and our ultimate would be … an industrial park at that site,&uot; said EDA Chairman Woody Allen. &uot;We’re still deep in the (negotiation)

process, but (IP has) been open and cooperative.&uot;

As of Friday, eight IP employees &045;&045; and more than 90 contract workers &045;&045; were working to finish decommissioning the facility.

Now, however, the mill is now 99 percent decommissioned, with most of the mill and its equipment cleaned and ready for whatever the next step might be.

&uot;The other 1 percent is equipment that still has lubrication in it, because it still might be of use&uot; at another facility,&uot; Olsen said.

Meanwhile, an average of two trucks a day have been leaving the mill with equipment, mostly smaller pieces such as gear boxes and generators. And that gradual departure of equipment has actually been taking place for weeks now, Olsen said.

&uot;In terms of a house, we’re still selling spoons, forks and knives, no beds or dressers,&uot; Olsen said.

The bulk of the equipment is going to IP sister mills in places like Pineville and Bastrop, La., Vicksburg or Augusta, Ga., or to other bidders.

Still, 95 to 98 percent of the mill’s equipment hasn’t found a buyer and is still at the facility. What isn’t of value to IP mills or other buyers could be used as scrap, Olsen said. This week, current and former employees have also visited the mill to take small mill equipment and office equipment they bid on at an employee auction two weeks ago.