NEWS ROUNDUP — Brunswick to reduce staff

To eliminate 112 jobs by year end, the mining division of Brunswick Mining and Smelting (TSE) has introduced a “voluntary employee reduction program.”

The 3-part program, which will last for six weeks, includes voluntary early retirement, voluntary separation and a voluntary education separation. If staff is not reduced voluntarily, layoffs will be necessary, the company says.

Last month, Brunswick suspended operations for six weeks at its lead smelter in Belledune, N.B. The shutdown is necessary because of an insufficient supply of lead concentrate resulting from production cutbacks at zinc-lead mines around the world.