Industrial Minerals


Hungary’s MAL reconciles alumina red mud disaster

March 2011

by Jessica Roberts

Following the failure of MAL’s red mud dam in October 2010, IM spoke to chairman Dr Lajos Tolnay and CEO Dr Zoltán Bakonyi about the company’s clean-up progress and strategy for the future

Keywords: MAL, Hungary, alumina, red mud, dam failure

Has MAL’s production returned to normal?

 

MAL’s bauxite digestion plant in Ajka

After the catastrophe that happened on 4 October 2010 the production at the Ajka alumina plant was shut down, and the permit to restart the plant was received on 15 October 2010. Except for the initial difficulties, production increases continuously and full capacity can be ensured from April 2011. How did the accident affect MAL’s customers?Our customers have stood by us and based on the previous positive experience they have concluded contracts with MAL even for 2011. We can say that we have not lost any buyers this year. After the restart we have done our best to ensure customers do not feel the negative effects of the catastrophe and we strive to fulfil their needs and we will make up our leeway from May 2011.What actions has MAL taken to rectify the...