Growing fears over smelter future

FEARS over the future of Rio Tinto’s Lochaber smelter continue to grow.

Concern mounted this week after it was announced a working group made up of representatives from Highland Council, Lochaber Chamber of Commerce and Rio Tinto is to visit an area where another plant shut to see what life is like for local people after the closure.

The trip to Anglesey in Wales has sparked suspicion that this could be the first hint the Lochaber smelter will be closing, but the joint working group and Rio Tinto have denied the visit is a sign the plant is to close.

Earlier this year, Rio Tinto bosses announced there would be a strategic review of the smelter’s operation. The company refused to comment further other than saying: ‘The review that we began earlier this year is ongoing.’

Scottish Labour MSP David Stewart and his Highlands and Islands Labour colleague Rhoda Grant have been concerned about the company’s review of the Fort William plant since they met Rio Tinto officials in February.

The plant employs up to 150 people, and the Highland Council has stressed its importance as a major employer in Lochaber.

Linda Stewart, wife of David Stewart, launched a paper petition and i-petition as a candidate during the recent Scottish Government election to Support Our Rio Tinto (SORT) to back the continuation of the plant.

Mr Stewart told The Oban Times: ‘Obviously I hope the plant will continue after the review but what has concerned me and others in the community is that other UK aluminium smelters have all closed after similar reviews.’

The site is the UK’s last remaining aluminium smelter and Mr Stewart said: ‘There is no doubt that if it closed it would be devastating for the area.’

Highland Labour councillor for Fort William and Ardnamurchan, Brian Murphy, worked at the plant for 21 years, as did his father before him, and he has helped rally support in the community.

The SORT petition can be signed at www.change.org/ p/rio-tinto-keep-riotinto-jobs-in-lochaber.