Aughinish Alumina faces criticism from local group on its rock blasting proposal near the red mud ponds

In 2017, Aughinish Alumina filed a controversial proposal to blast and extract rock near the bauxite residue disposal area, or the red mud ponds, to make a pit for use in the plant operations. Limerick council gave green light for rock 'blasting' at Aughinish plant. However, the proposal was brought under review by An Bord Pleanala after the council’s permission was appealed by a local group. An Bord Pleanala has however, refused a request for an oral hearing into the proposal to develop the pit at the site. The request for a hearing was lodged by a local protester, Pat Geoghegan, who hoped to get one similar to the hearing that took place last year for an Irish Cement proposal.

The board said that it will make a decision on the appealed rock-blasting plans by August 27 2018. However, they agreed to deal with the issue through written procedures.

The petitioners consider it a reckless application by Aughinish and fear that such disturbance to the ground near the red mud pond may cause the toxic slurry to spill.

Mr Geoghegan said the plant wished “to seek approval to set off explosives next to millions of tonnes of the red toxic waste ponds which could have huge implications for the Shannon Estuary if the embankment is breached”.

He also made claims that local people are “still being denied the truth of the dangers of the contents within the red mud to their health, and how it has affected the value of their property.

United States imposed harsh sanctions on Aughinish Alumina’s parent company Rusal in April, as a way of targeting billionaire founder Oleg Deripaska. The sanctions are due to be enforced fully in October, unless majority owner Oleg Deripaska surrenders his shares to bring down his ownership to below 50 per cent at least.

Aughinish Alumina, which employs 450 people with another 500 in indirect employment, was thrown into uncertainty after the sanctions. Rusal said that it was doing everything it can to avoid being sanctioned by the US in October.