According to Jocelyn Fraser from Thompson Creek Metals, Endako Mine will stop mining for a few months, that is removing new material from the open pit, at Endako. Rather than mining, they will process stockpiled material. This keeps the mill running and provides jobs for the 360 people still working at Endako Mine.
She added, "The low molybdenum prices are definitely a factor in our decision and the challenge of the low price has been exacerbated at Endako by lower than anticipated ore grades and recovery. Processing the stockpiles gives us a way to control costs during this period when molybdenum prices are lower than we have seen for some time."
Last month, 17 permanent employees were given temporary lay-off notices. And between June and July, a total of 40 temporary workers were let go. About 20 of these people have now been hired at the nearby Mount Milligan project.