Downsizing: a consultant's perspective

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 82, No. 923, 1989

John Stoten, Murray Axmith Western Ltd.

The 1980s have proven extremely difficult years for many resource-based organizations. Mining companies have learned how to weather the negative effects of inevitable economic cycles. However, with some notable exceptions, such as gold mining companies, the mining industry has faced a broader and deeper round of cutbacks than any experienced since the 1930s. Downsizing has been a major issue for many mining companies as they have faced the need for dramatic staffing cost reductions in the recent past. The continuing current rapid rate of change in technology and the marketplace, coupled with increasing merger and acquisition activity, will provide an on-going need for some companies to face major reorganization. This inevitably will involve down-sizing activity in some instances. Given this scenario, it is worth reviewing the industry's past experiences to identify approaches and techniques that could prove of value in handling a future staff downsizing challenge. This paper is based upon a downsizing consultant's experiences with the mining industry and other sectors, and highlights what appear to be key staff reduction planning and process issues.

Mots Clés: Downsizing, Mineral economics, Human resources