Rio Tinto extending suspension of Quebec titanium mine due to weak demand

MONTREAL – Rio Tinto is extending the suspension of its titanium mining operations in Quebec because of weak market demand and pricing.

The mine in Have-Saint-Pierre, closed since mid-October, will remain shut for an extra two weeks, until April 10. Next summer’s planned shutdown will also be extended by two weeks to eight weeks, said spokeswoman Claudine Gagnon.

The changes affect about 300 workers.

Thirty employees will also be affected by the decision to cut scheduled maintenance in half to four weeks. Rio Tinto recently announced a global wage freeze for its non-unionized employees to address its anticipation for demand weakness in 2016.

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