Gulf & Western Natural Resources Group's New Jersey Zinc Company said today that due to current market conditions for zinc, it was initiating a companywide cost control program. The economy measures will include layoffs of personnel at New Jersey Zinc's Palmerton plant.

A company spokesman said in addition to reductions in capital expenditures to be made at all of the company's facilities, furloughing of both salaried and hourly employees will take place. A spokesman for New Jersey Zinc, Palmerton, said the firm could not elaborate on the number of employees at the Palmerton plant who will be laid off.New Jersey Zinc workers are represented by the United Steelworkers of America, Local 3317.