Workers go on strike at Gibraltar copper mine in central B.C.

More than 500 workers are on strike at the Gibraltar copper mine in centralBritishColumbia, about 200 kilometres south ofPrinceGeorge.

Unifor says its Local 3018 members voted to strike today becauseVancouver-based Taseko Mines Limited, the operation's owner, "refused to negotiate basic terms of a new collective agreement."

A statementfrom the union says contract negotiations began in February and have involved "many hours of meetings."

No agreement had been reached when the workers' latest contract expired on Friday. Members had alsovoted 98 per cent in favour of a strike if a contract could not be achieved before the deadline, according to a previous statement from the union.

Taseko Mines said in a statement to CBC News that it has suspendedthe mining and milling operations at the site, and essential staff remain on site to maintain critical systems.

"The Company remains committed to the bargaining process and reaching a fair and equitable agreement," the statement says.

Uniforsays Local 3018 represents about 550 workers at the mine, which is the second largest open-pit copper mine in Canada and the largest employer in the region.