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15 Kennecott employees laid off, officials say

Posted at 5:08 PM, Jan 28, 2014
and last updated 2014-01-28 19:08:54-05

SALT LAKE COUNTY — Fifteen Kennecott employees were laid off in an effort to reduce operating costs, company officials announced Tuesday.

Twenty-five other employees have been offered an opportunity to transfer to other areas within the company.

The staffing changes are a result of the April 2013 landslide at the Bingham Canyon Mine and its impact on the operation.

An additional 30 salaried roles were reduced by eliminating vacant positions.

Kennecott released the following statement:

“It is always difficult when jobs are lost because of the direct impact it has on individuals and families. Kennecott is taking great care to reduce impacts to employees with the decisions being made. Kennecott continues to implement measures to improve efficiencies and reduce costs as the organization continues to recover from the impacts of the landslide.”

Employees impacted by layoffs are eligible for severance in accordance with Rio Tinto’s policy and will also receive employee assistance.