COPPER: Mining suspended at Huckleberry pit

BRITISH COLUMBIA – Imperial Metals of Vancouver has suspended mining at the open pit Huckleberry copper mine 90 km southwest of Houston. The company said its efforts to reduce costs were not enough to offset declining copper prices. The move will idle 100 of the 260 employees at the site. The remainder will continue milling stockpiled ore. The mill has a capacity of 20,000 t/d. Guidance for 2015 was 44.0 million lb of copper and 240,000 oz of silver. Imperial said that Huckleberry had an excellent operating record in 2015 with no lost time accidents. In December, Huckleberry received a reclamation award and a commendation for its work with the local First Nations from the government of British Columbia. Please see ImperialMetals.com.