COLUMBUS - Stillwater mining officials said plunging metal prices forced them to give notice to more than 500 workers Monday. Most of the layoffs are at the East Boulder Mine, but the company is making cuts across the board.

Stillwater Public Information Officer John Beaudry said some of the employees will be hired back in other capacities. He estimated nearly 320 employees will be without jobs after the restructuring. Beaudry said they didn't want to lay anyone off, but they had to think about what was best for the more than 1,700 people working in the company.

"The plan is making every effort to keep as many people employed as possible," he said. "If conditions improve, we hope to improve with them." Beaudry said employees at the East Boulder Mine will receive pay and benefits for 60 days whether they're called back to work or not.