Irish firm’s production threatened by civil war in Africa

A THREATENED civil war in Africa could hit raw material supplies to a Limerick plant, putting 700 jobs at risk.

Aughinish Alumina imports millions of tonnes of bauxite ore from the west African country of Guinea, which is on the brink of war as union leaders demand that President Lansana Conte step aside in favour of a national unity government.

Aughinish Alumina processes the imported ore into alumina, a fine powder substance which is exported and smelted into aluminium.

With shiploads of bauxite already bound for the Shannon Estuary plant, plus stored supplies on site, the company said yesterday it has enough bauxite to continue production until the end of February.

The company said it was not considering putting its 500 permanent and 200 contact staff on protective notice.

Human resources manager Neilus Kennedy said the company would reduce production rather than lay off workers. “All efforts are being made to conserve bauxite stocks and to keep the plant operational,” he said.

Bauxite Guinea is the principal supplier of bauxite to Aughinish Alumina.