GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

Russian bauxite giant RUSAL has cut over 50 workers in Guyana, as it grapples with increasing costs and slumping demand for aluminium.

On Tuesday, the local subsidiary, Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc, confirmed that employees from the administrative department of the company had been cut, but said persons directly involved in mining and maintenance were, so far, not affected.

RUSAL is the world's largest aluminum producer. Earlier this week, the company announced its intention to cut production by four per cent at its Russian smelters, as well as five per cent of jobs worldwide.

CEO Alexander Bulygin warned that the company could also reduce output at six plants, by about 180,000 tonnes a year, in the face of a recent downturn in business.

Over in Jamaica, the company has also cut 150 jobs.