Still no power deal for Anglesey Aluminium smelter

THE owners of a closure-threatened aluminium smelter have still not secured a new power deal. In a filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange commission late last week, Kaiser Aluminium Corp, which jointly owns the Anglesey Aluminium Metals plant at Holyhead, said "no sources have been identified that would allow the uninterrupted continuation of smelting operations." But the company added the smelter may continue remelt and casting operations and could produce anodes for use by other smelting facilities after it closes in September. Negotiations have failed to secure a new electricity supplier for the plant. The smelter is the biggest single user of electricity in the UK, so with no power source secured after a contract with neighbouring Wylfa runs out in the autumn jobs are hanging in the balance. "Anglesey (Aluminium Metals) has worked intensively with government authorities and agencies to find a sustainable alternative to the power supply needs of the smelter, but has been unable to reach a feasible solution," the filing added. Kaiser doesn't expect to receive any dividends from Anglesey in the foreseeable future. The smelter in Holyhead is owned 49% by Kaiser with the remainder held by mining giant Rio Tinto PLC.