Helsinki, Finland, 19 January 2009 -- Metso will start personnel discussions regarding temporary layoffs and personnel reductions in its mining and construction technology personnel in Tampere and Helsinki, Finland. The negotiations will affect all Finland-based personnel at Metso Minerals Inc., a total of approximately 1200 people.

According to the provisional plan Metso is preparing for temporary layoffs of varying durations and for reductions of approximately 200 positions. These measures are the result of the decline in order backlog and levels of work due to the global market situation, and the need to reorganize specific operations.

In cooperation with its personnel, Metso began implementing a variety of adjustment measures, such as flexible working hours, advancement of annual leave, and limitation of rented workforce, in the last quarter of 2008. Temporary assignments have also ended. Unfortunately, in the current demand environment these measures have not proved sufficient. The outcome of the personnel discussions now taking place will be announced in the beginning of March.

The effect of these measures on different personnel groups will be clarified as the discussions proceed. The objective is to ensure that employees’ levels of professional skill and the quality of Metso customer service remain at a high level.

Metso employs approximately 1300 mining and construction technology people in Finland. The number of Metso personnel in Finland totals approximately 9300.

Metso (www.metso.com) is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling and the pulp and paper industries. The company employs more than 28,000 persons in more than 50 countries.