Iamgold's Westwood gold mine located in southwestern Quebec. Courtesy of Iamgold.

Iamgold will be reducing the size of the workforce at its Westwood gold mine in Quebec by 32 per cent starting this week, the company announced on Tuesday.

The reductions are a “stabilizing cost control measure” as a result of the mine’s current stage of development as well as its 2019 production guidance of 100,000 to 120,000 ounces, according to the company.

The mine is located 40 kilometres west of Val d’Or in southwestern Québec and employs approximately 455 Iamgold employees – around 60 of whom will be cut – as well as independent contractors, according to the workers union Métallos, which represents Westwood workers.