Rio Tinto Alcan to Slash 1,100 Jobs

Jan. 20, 2009
Will cut aluminum production by 6%

Rio Tinto Alcan, the aluminium division of Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto, said on Jan. 20 it planned to reduce its global workforce by about 1,100 staff because of the economic slowdown. "Plans are in place to reduce the workforce by approximately 1,100 roles -- 300 contractors and 800 employee roles," Rio Tinto said.

"In addition, substantial cost reduction programs are being implemented across all Rio Tinto Alcan facilities."

Anglo-Australian company Rio Tinto bought Canadian aluminium group Alcan for $38.1 billion in 2007.

Rio Tinto Alcan said that "in response to global economic conditions," it would cut its aluminium production by 6% and shut the Beauharnois smelter in Quebec. The facility, which employs 220 people, will cease smelting activities in the second quarter of 2009, it added.

"Our goal is to align production with customer demand and reduce our operating costs as much as possible," Rio Tinto Alcan chief executive Dick Evans said. "We are taking steps towards optimising our world class portfolio of low cost, long life assets, the majority of which are in the lowest half of the industry cost curve," Evans added.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2009

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Shifting Your Business from Products to Service-Based Business Models: Generating Predictable Revenues

Oct. 27, 2023
Executive summary on a recent IndustryWeek-hosted webinar sponsored by SAP

Future-Proofing Your Business with Smart Manufacturing

Jan. 2, 2024
An IndustryWeek-Plant Services-Smart Industry-Automation World-hosted webinar sponsored by Amazon Web Services

A 3D Look at the Future of Machine Imaging Systems

Dec. 8, 2022
In this Ask the Expert we discuss the latest developments in 3D vision systems and how they’re becoming increasingly important across a wide range of industrial applications, ...

Digital Production Tracking: How Connected Platforms with No-Code Deliver Value

March 11, 2024
Manual tracking lacks the real-time visibility manufacturers need to identify root causes and remain competitive. Digital, connected production tracking is crucial for your operations...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!