Norsk may cut jobs at NSW smelter as it suffers from strong dollar

Norsk Hydro, the Norwegian aluminium company, is considering curtailing production at its planstone crushing business plan ethiopiat in Kurri Kurri, near Newcastle. A consultation process has started with the local employees.

Hilde Merete Aasheim, executive vice president of Hydro's primary metal business area, said today that the company would “continue to stay in close dialogue with all affected stakeholders”. The move comes in response to the weak macro-economic environment, with low metal prices and an uncertain market outlook. In addition, Kurri Kurri, which employs about 500 people, is suffering from a strong Australian dollar relative to the US dollar. In case of a curtailment at Kurri Kurri, Hydro is confident that customer commitments will be served through its global metal products supply system. Kurri Kurri, which is fully owned by Hydro, has three production lines with...