Limerick's Aughinish Alumina unlikely to be hit by Russian sanctions
Bauxite plant near Askeaton not expected to be targetted by penalties
THE Aughinish Alumina refinery, which employs close to 500 people in West Limerick, is not expected to be hit by economic sanctions aimed at Russia.
In reports this Tuesday morning on the European Union (EU) finalising its latest package of economic measures aimed to keep the pressure on Russia in its ongoing war with Ukraine, Aughinish Alumina is not subject to any penalties.
The plant, whose parent company is Russian aluminium giant Rusal, has been at the centre of controversy over increased exports of alumina to the country.
An investigation by a consortium of journalists reported that alumina produced in Limerick was shipped to Russian smelters which sell aluminium to a trader that supplies manufacturers linked to Russia's defence industry.
For its part, Rusal has stressed that it is compliant with EU sanctions which are updated on a regular basis.
However, neither Aughinish Alumina nor its parent company have been targeted with EU sanctions.
Alumina is not a sanctioned commodity, and Irish and European authorities have argued against restrictions because of the potential impact on employment and industrial supply chains in Limerick
As well as providing 475 direct jobs, Aughinish Alumina also supports dozens more positions in sub-supply.
And the importance of the industry to the area was thrown into sharp focus following the decision taken by Nestle to wind down its operation in Askeaton, with the loss of more than 500 jobs.
Two weeks ago, in a rare intervention, the managing director of Aughinish Alumina wrote to Enterprise Minister Peter Burke warning at “the potential loss of employment” locally should sanctions be brought in.
He warned restrictions on exports “would leave Aughinish in a position where a significant portion of its alumina would need to be curtailed, reducing efficiency and increasing unit costs.”
Independent Ireland TD Richard O’Donoghue said the impact of any job losses would be dire for West Limerick.
“It’s 500 families. That’s 500 families who have a housing need. Five-hundred people with families who need to be fed. You’re not only looking at that, you’re looking at the transport network around it,” he said.
The Aughinish Alumina refinery has been targeted by protesters in recent weeks with the buildings vandalised and daubed in paint.
It’s something that Mr O’Donoghue condemned.
"There should be no vandalism to anyone’s property, regardless of who owns it. We saw during the fuel protests which I was involved with – it was a peaceful protest. People got their point across, they did not do damage to property or use violence to get their point across. We are a peaceful nation,” he told Limerick Live.