Troubled alumina maker MAL lays off 250

Recycling

Hungarian alumina maker MAL is laying off about 250 people as it ceases processing its own bauxite, liquidator Judit Kemerle Szegő said yesterday. About 72% of the layoffs are skilled workers.

The layoffs will take place by next May, she added.

MAL earlier laid off 183 people at its bauxite mine in Halimba. The company closed the mine early this year, around the same time it was ordered into liquidation proceedings. MAL owes creditors and suppliers HUF 19 billion.

It must also pay almost HUF 150 billion in waste management and recovery fees. MAL was fined HUF 135.1 billion in 2011 for environmental damage caused by a toxic sludge spill at its plant in Ajka. A reservoir at the plant ruptured in October 2010, sending a flood of red sludge through surrounding villages that killed ten people and damaged hundreds of homes. The event is still known as Hungary's worst-ever environmental disaster.

SUPPORT THE BUDAPEST BUSINESS JOURNAL

Producing journalism that is worthy of the name is a costly business. For 27 years, the publishers, editors and reporters of the Budapest Business Journal have striven to bring you business news that works, information that you can trust, that is factual, accurate and presented without fear or favor.
Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.

Support the BBJ

Environment