Prince George, B.C.. – The Mount Milligan   open pit copper and gold mine  has been officially opened.

350 mine employees, mine executives and community leaders  celebrated the  grand opening of the $1.5 billion dollar mine which is located about 155 kms northwest of Prince George.

Construction of the mine started in late 2010 and the first ore was processed in August 2013. Once operating at full potential, the mine is expected to  produce about 60,000 metric tonnes per day, producing about  81 million pounds of copper and 195 thousand ounces of gold each year, over the course of the mine’s  22 year  life.

Chairman and CEO of Thompson Creek Metals Company, Kevin Loughrey, offered a thank you to  all  who  have contributed to the mine’s development- "Thompson Creek is pleased to have been able to construct this mine in British Columbia. All of our employees are committed to operate the mine safely and in a responsible manner, so that Mt. Milligan is a valuable asset not only to our company but also to all of British Columbia. We thank the many people of the province who contributed to our success."

Mt. Milligan is the second mine to begin production  since the fall of 2011.  Five more mines are  either  under constuction or have been  permitted during that  same time frame.