BILLINGS - Stillwater Mine officials say operations will resume at the East Boulder Mine as soon as an agreement is reached with the United Steel Workers Union.

Meanwhile, hundreds of miners are left to wait and wonder whether they'll have a job. Wednesday, mine officials outlined the specifics of the restructuring plan during a conference call with stake holders. Highlights include, reducing manpower, schedule changes, and scaling back development.

Mine officials expect to layoff 320 employees and 50 contractors. Jobs done by contractors will be taken over by mine employees. They say, some miners displaced from Boulder will move to the Nye side. Their goal is to decrease production costs at Boulder by 28% and at Stillwater by 16%.

Mine officials say the worldwide economy, lag in the auto industry, and lower consumer spending are putting a strain on the mining industry as a whole. CEO Frank McAllister says, "There are huge economic cross currents flowing through the world right now. As a result, it is difficult to read where all of this will carry us. The realignment we announced this week will position us as a company to endure through an extended period of economic stagnation and be ready to move forward once a recovery begins."

Mine officials stressed employee safety will not be compromised after the restructuring. Mine officials say they hope to reach an agreement with the Union by December.