Rio Tinto lays off workers at Argyle pink diamond mine

Rio Tinto will trim jobs at its Argyle mine, famed for its rare pink diamonds, as it seeks to cut costs in a division the mining giant plans to exit, The Australian reports.
The Argyle mine in the remote north of Western Australia began operating in 1983 and is the world's largest supplier of scarce and pricey pink diamonds. According to the company, it accounts for about one-fifth of the world's natural diamond production.
The decision to cut jobs comes as resources companies across the country defer or cancel expansion projects and shed jobs in an effort to fight rising operating costs and slumping commodity prices. Rio Tinto already is looking to cut a number of jobs at its coal operations in eastern Australia and has said it will close one mine there before the end of the year rather than find ways to extend its operating life.
"Like others in the industry, Argyle is facing increasing costs," spokesman Bruce Tobin said. "We cannot do this effectively without reducing employee costs and unfortunately this does mean some roles will no longer be needed," he said.
Mr Tobin declined to say how many employees will be laid off.
Rio Tinto is moving operations at Argyle underground from the current open pit in an effort to extend the mine's life to at least 2019.
The Anglo-Australian company in March launched a review of its diamonds business with the aim of selling or separately listing the mines. The division - which includes Argyle, along with mines in Canada and Zimbabwe and a mining project in India - only accounts for a relatively small portion of Rio Tinto's annual revenue.