Farmers appeal for review of toxic containment at Aughinish

LOCAL farmers whose lands are located near the Aughinish Alumina plant in Co Limerick have demanded an expert review into the structure and containment of the bauxite residue site.

Their concerns focus on the amount of material being piled near Foynes, at Europe’s largest aluminium refinery, an amount greater than that led which led to the disaster in Hungary.

According to local farming groups, the amount of material stored in Foynes equates to the size of 14 Croke Parks.

The Cappagh Farm Support Group said: “Our group for many years have highlighted our concerns about the toxic waste that is contained in a 250-acre red mud pond with approx 15 million tonnes or more of such waste similar to the Hungarian mud spill. The Aughinish waste mud pond is only approximately 30 metres from the banks of the River Shannon and approx 32 metres in height above sea level.

“We are also of the view in light of recent events that the granting to the company of the construction and operation of a second mud pond of (200 acres in area) and to facilitate future waste production for another 25 years of approx 15 million tonnes of hazardous waste should be re-examined.”

The farm group has questioned the EPA decision to reclassify the bauxite residue area from hazardous to non hazardous: “The bottom line is: it is hazardous or not there is no in between when you are dealing with the safety of people, animals and the environment.”

Aughinish Alumina, in operation since 1983, employs more than 440.