KINGSTON, Jamaica  _ A Russian-owned aluminum company that had been scaling back operations in Jamaica amid a faltering economy has laid off 762 workers and ceased all bauxite projects.

Spokeswoman Kayon Wallace said Thursday that West Indies Alumina Jamaica Ltd. will retain 257 contract workers only to continue agricultural and land restoration projects.

Windalco previously cut 250 jobs and closed refineries in St. Catherine and Manchester parishes last year as demand for bauxite dwindled.

Parent company UC Rusal is the world’s biggest aluminum producer. It also owns Alumina Partners of Jamaica, which terminated hundreds of workers last year.

Jamaica is one of the world’s largest producers of bauxite, the main ore used in aluminum.

In a memo circulated Friday, Chief Deputy City Attorney Bill Carter says the mayor can remove the heads of departments and people in appointed offices but he does not have the power under the city charter to fire most city employees on his own.

Villaraigosa ordered the immediate layoffs on Thursday to help to balance the city’s budget. The move came a day after the city council voted unanimously to postpone any action on job cuts for 30 days while they explore other options.

Mayor’s counsel Brian Currey says Villaraigosa will work through department heads to make sure the layoffs and transfers happen.