Aughinish Alumina reapplies for permission to expand alumina waste disposal area

Aughinish Alumina refinery, the largest refinery in Europe and the largest alumina facility operated by UC Rusal has reportedly reapplied for planning permission to expand its factory’s waste disposal area near the banks of the Shannon Estuary.

Environmental group Futureproof Clare said it is steadfast in its opposition to the expansion proposal, claiming that it has no proper planning or sustainable vision.

Initially, An Bórd Pleanála, an independent, statutory, quasi-judicial body, granted permission for the expansion last year. But later on, Futureproof Clare appealed to the High Court to challenge the consent.

Aughinish Alumina’s first application for permission to expand the waste disposal area, which is used for stockpiling leftover bauxite residue, dates back to December 2021.

Aughinish Alumina also applied for permission to extend the permitted borrow pit, which is an area of quarried stone, and to extend the existing salt cake disposal cell. Salt cake is a by-product of the aluminium recycling process.

The High Court repealed the application for expansion in May 2023, following which Aughinish Alumina has reapplied to An Bórd Pleanála for the same expansion, attaching an Environmental Impact Assessment Report and a Natura Impact Statement.