Ormet moving to restart Burnside plant

Ormet Corp. is moving to reopen its Burnside alumina plant by the end of 2010, a move that could bring in 250 jobs.

The plant converts bauxite into alumina, a key component in aluminum. It was closed in late 2006.

Ormet chief executive Mike Tanchuk told The Advocate on Wednesday that the current price of alumina - about $400 per metric ton - along with low natural gas prices, makes a plant restart financially viable.

The plant closed during a glut of alumina from China and higher gas prices.