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THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION is to investigate ‘red mud ponds’ at Aughinish Alumina plant in Co Limerick.
Socialist MEP Paul Murphy raised the issue in the European Parliament, saying that he feared a major environmental disaster could take place due to the waste that is stored at the site.
The Cappagh Farmers Support Group has said they believe the contents of the red ponds, which is waste left over from the processes at the plant, is material that is hazardous to their health and the health of their animals.
“It seems that there are health and environmental risks significant enough [to warrant an investigation],” said Murphy.
He said that he is worried that the material can seep into the nearby Shannon estuary, and said that the powdery dry waste was blowing into nearby lands in wind.
The plant is owned by Rusal Alumina, a multinational company.
Murphy said he believed the commission should test the waste see if it is hazardous and that if it is hazardous it should do something in conjunction with the Irish government about this.
He said that the ponds should be fully lined to prevent seepage, especially as they are right beside the estuary. He said that 150 acres of the 250 acre site is not lined.
If waters were to rise, potentially they could go into the estuary.
Farmers
Pat Geoghegan of the Cappagh Farmers Support Group said that local farmers have been campaigning about the waste since the late 1990s. The waste has been classified as non-hazardous following a State-led investigation, but the support group members refute this.
A 2007 EPA residue management sustainability review of Auginish Alumina Limited describes the red mud and process sand, which are part of the bauxite residue at the plant, as non-hazardous.
In 2010, a facility in Hungary that also extracts alumina from bauxite caused an environment disaster after the waste product spilled out. At the time, Aughinish Alumina told the Limerick Post that the bauxite waste in that country is stored differently to the waste at the Limerick plant.
Geoghegan welcomed the new investigation here, saying “we are looking for answers after 22 years”.
We are not going to go away, and we are going to keep going until we get answers and we want to get answers.
“We can’t farm anymore there,” said Geoghegan of his family. “We had to leave our farm in 2007 because the pollution was so bad.”
A European Environmental Agency study in 2009 found that the plant was one of 622 European plants contributing to air pollution in Europe.
The European Commission’s latest update on the plant was:
The Commission is not yet in a position to determine whether the contents of the red mud waste pond at the Aughinish Alumina plant in Askeaton, County Limerick, should be considered hazardous. An investigation is currently ongoing on the nature and classification of the waste in this red mud pond. The Commission has yet to complete its assessment of the information received from the complainant and from the Irish authorities.
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….Sounds like an ideal location for some “social” housing…I wonder would the regeneration committee consider it…could be a solution to a lot of problems
Or a film location for a Sci-fi movie set on Mars
This is what happens when Paul O’Connell sweats…….
It just highlights the fact that we have clowns in government by getting the EU to investigate
Dmc
Is that the only observation you have to make. How does that address or improve the situation.? Wouldn’t it be much more sensible to use a couple of brain cells and come up with something that could be helpful?
If the EPA says the material is non hazardous then most people would accept that position as they are a tough and thoroughly independent Agency.
Sound to me like locals looking for compensation for some unusual reason!
the plant is owned by “Rusal” – not Russell…
@Paddy. Im not a local but I can the factory chimney from my house which is about 20km away. The smoke alone wouldnt be enough to turn my stomach.
(can see)
The European Waste Catalogue and the EPA assessment of the waste under this Framework would be transparent, I wonder is it the colour of the ponds that has the locals concerned or was environmental risk proven?
some local farmers over the years have had a high incidence of freakish births with their cattle and sheep only since the factory opened. calf’s with no legs, too many legs, too many heads. etc…..makes you wonder.
boring fact…… the company is the biggest single user of electricity in the country.
Simple jobs or smoke
Bauxite red mud is typically high in heavy metal content and in pH. However generally due to its consistency as a marshy difficult to dry mud, leeching is minimal and ponds are unlined in many mud ponds around the world. If contained in a structurally sound way, risk of pollution should be relatively low!
would instead of wouldnt! Damn auto correct!!
We have successfully completed tests on tyre pyrolisis waste and are opening a pilot plant in the UK. The first of its type in the world. Tests have been completed and not limited to. Compression. Tensile. Acoustic. Fire and leaching have been done on the products made with this industrial waste.
We now can offer recycling of Red Mud. So there is no reason now why this potential time bomb should be stored as it is.
Our core products are made in the majority with Cement or on occasions with Alkali Activated Material or Geopolymer. With either 8 to 13 Ph Red Mud or Neutralised Red Mud.
Our products are but not limited to: Paving slabs and Kerbs. Block paving. Roof tiles. Drainage pipes. Turf/soil substitute growing medium. Concrete. Crash barriers. Sea defences. Roads/driveways. Other products mixed with resins and used as a colourant. Kitchen worktops. Shower trays. Fire surrounds. Etc to name but a few.
Our guarantee is that the ROI (Return On Investment) will be repaid through sales of these and other products.
So the whole recycling will not cost the company anything. Its free.
Samples available. 50 to 100 Kilo of Red Mud required shipped to UK.
Feasibility study offered, undertaken at your cost. Cost returned under guarantee if contract agreed.
have your say