MONTREAL: Canadian engineering giant SNC-Lavalin — still reeling from graft, money-laundering and conspiracy probes — announced on Thursday it will slash 4,000 jobs, or nine percent of its global workforce.

The positions will be eliminated over the next 18 months, resulting in savings of up to Can$100 million ($875,000) annually, the Montreal-based company said in a statement. It cited a “major global slowdown” in the mining sector as one reason for the restructuring.

SNC-Lavalin said the mining slowdown “has created a ripple effect through other industries, and is combining with a general economic slowdown, particularly in the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, Indian and China).”

The company had gained a lead in engineering services in the mining sector with the Can$2.1 billion purchase of rival Kentz in June.

However, it has also struggled to turn the page on scandals involving its now former president and senior executives.