Mining firm to close controversial landfill and ‘green’ the site

ONE of the biggest landfill sites in Ireland is due to close in the next 12 months, with management planning to grow grass and plant trees on the 236-acre ‘red mud’ pond at the Aughinish Alumina plant.

Farmers in the west Limerick area have long expressed fears about the future of the bauxite residue disposal area (BRDA) facility, claiming it could end up as one of the “biggest toxic dumps in Europe”.

According to the EPA, management at the site — the biggest alumina refinery in Europe — have been “preparing for years” for its closure as the pond holds over 23 million tonnes of bauxite residue.