Ormet lays off 60 workers at aluminum smelter

NEW YORK, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Ormet Corp (ORMT.PK), an independent U.S. primary aluminum producer, laid off 60 of 100 workers it had previously announced would be let go at its 266,000 tonne-a-year aluminum smelter in Hannibal, Ohio, a spokeswoman said on Monday.

In response to Reuters queries, the spokeswoman added that more of the 100 jobs would likely be cut before year-end.

Beginning in mid-October, Ormet began gradually reducing the number of plant workers after trimming production to four potlines, according to plans announced earlier.

In late August, the aluminum producer said it would reduce output to four of six potlines through 2009, and said it would lay off up to 100 workers, but did not say when production would be slowed or when the workers would be laid off. [ID:nN19629056]

Only five of six potlines had been running since May 20.

"We've laid off up to 60 of those 100 so far, and there will likely be more through the end of the year." the spokeswoman said.

During the summer, Ormet had said, it was deciding whether to cut aluminum output at Hannibal or idle the smelter because of depressed aluminum market conditions and a potential shortage of alumina.

Raw material bauxite is turned into alumina, which is then smelted into aluminum.

The global economic downturn has depressed aluminum consumption worldwide. (Reporting by Carole Vaporean; editing by Jim Marshall)