Midtier copper producer Taseko Mines has halted operations at the Gibraltar mine, in British Columbia, after failing to reach a collective bargaining agreement with unionised workers.
About 550 workers at the copper mine, north of Williams Lake, walked off the job on Saturday, after negotiations between Taseko and private sector union Unifor did not result in an agreement.
“A fair collective agreement, with wages and benefits that reflect the significant contributions of our members, is not too much to ask,” said Unifor national president Lana Payne.
In anticipation of the strike, Taseko ceased mining and milling operations on Friday evening. The mine is now on care and maintenance, with only essential staff operating and maintaining critical systems.
Taseko reiterated its commitment to the bargaining process and reaching a fair and equitable agreement.
Gibraltar is the second-biggest openpit copper mine in Canada and the biggest employer in the Cariboo region. The current collective agreement expired on May 31.
With a processing capacity of 85 000 t/d, Gibraltar produces an average of 130-million pounds a year of copper.