Rio’s subsidiary Kennecott Utah Copper said in a statement that it is looking to cut further positions in the coming days as it continues to take steps to reduce the impact on its workforce.

The workers can choose between using vacation time, taking unpaid leave or retiring with a one-time $20,000 resignation incentive.

Kennecott, which has about 2,500 workers across its operation, said that the additional reductions in other parts of the operation will be carried by 31 May 2013.

In mid-April, Rio Tinto estimated that over 165 million tonnes of earth had slid into the open-pit Bingham Canyon mine, which is operated by Kennecott, caused greater than expected damage to equipment.

The landslide is expected to reduce planned copper production by 50% in 2013.