Prince George, B.C.-  Imperial Metals  has announced it  is suspending  open pit operations at its Huckleberry  copper  mine  near Houston.The  news means 100 employees will be off  the job.  Imperial says  another 160 employees at the mine will stay on to continue milling the stockpiled ore.

In a statement released this morning,  Imperial says  despite  efforts to  reduce operating  costs at the mine “the realized savings have not been sufficient to offset declining copper prices.”  Copper  is  trading  at about $2.06 U.S.  a pound,  a level last seen  seven years ago.

The company says it will “continue to  work with  employees and other stakeholders to manage through this difficult period.”