MARQUETTE COUNTY -- Cliffs Natural Resources has announced new investments for 2012.

Cliffs Empire Mine in Palmer will have an extended life.  The mine, once thought to not be in operations past 2011, will now be in operation through 2015. An additional $60 million investment in 2012 is the reason.  The money will be used for new trucks and mining equipment.

The mine announced in December that there will be 600 layoffs in 2012 due to maintenance.

This investment will not create new jobs or decrease the number of layoffs, but it does mean better job security for other employees.

"There won't be any increase in employment because of the additional capital, but what it does is extend the life of Empire beyond where we thought it would end in 2010 or 2011," said Director of Public Relations Dale Hemmila.

The layoffs are scheduled for this summer when the Empire Mine is projected to shut down between May and October.