Vale has made good on its plans to restructure its management team with a number of layoffs at the company’s Long Harbour plant this week.

A Vale spokesperson says the layoffs are part of the company’s restructuring plans announced in December, and are limited to its management team.

The Long Harbour processing plant started operations in 2014, and employs about 500 people.

Vale Base Metals confirmed in December that action was needed to better position the mining company to withstand market conditions. The company just completed its mine expansion at Voisey’s Bay in Labrador.

They say they remain committed to their operations in Newfoundland and Labrador despite the “strategic staffing changes.”

The company says the reorganization involves the layoff of some employees across all business areas including operating, administrative, and corporate positions.

Vale Base Metals says the reorganization is necessary as it reshapes the company for what it calls “sustained, long-term growth.”

Iron ore has seen a bumpy ride in the markets over the last year due to a variety of factors including bottlenecks caused by weather and railway disruptions.

Meanwhile, workers at the Long Harbour processing plant last week voted in favour of joining the United Steelworkers’ Union.