The owners of a North-East quarry are to make redundancies as part of a restructuring programme.
The jobs are to go at Lafarge's Thrislington Quarry and Works, near Ferryhill, County Durham.
The company quarries stone for various uses, chiefly burnt lime products for use in steel foundries.
The company says it is the downturn in the steel industry which is having a knock-on effect at Thrislington.
The company began talks with the 35-strong workforce at the quarry earlier this week, with the aim of restructuring the operation.
Some redundancies will inevitably follow, but the company said it is too early to know how many jobs will be affected.
A spokesman for the quarry said: "Regrettably, it will mean some redundancies, but we shall provide all the support and counselling we can to individuals who may be affected."
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