Energy and Mines Minister, Bill Bennett, and Taseko Mines CEO, Russell Hallbauer, celebrate at Gibraltar Mine on Thursday  courtesy BC Gov Photos

Williams Lake, BC – More than 600 people gathered to celebrate the completed expansion of the Gibraltar open pit copper mine, northwest of Williams Lake, on Thursday of this week.

Taseko Mines Limited invested $325-million dollars in a new, stand-alone mill at the site that will process 30-thousand tonnes per day and used the gathering to announce the hiring of additional employees.

"The addition of 150 new workers at the Gibraltar Mine is an excellent example of how the mining industry is building and sustaining communities across BC," says Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett.

With 700 employees across the Cariboo, Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA, Donna Barnett, says Taseko is one of the biggest employers in the region.  "With the recent completion of its new mill," says Barnett, "We can look forward to Gibraltar remaining an importatn part of our regional economy for decades to come."