The constructing of a new aluminum smelter in Helguvík has begun. The ground was broken on Saturday, and the first pot room is supposed to be ready in 2010. A handful of protestors gathered, but they where promptly removed by the police.
The smelter will have a production capacity of 150.000 tons pr. year and is expected to begin smelting in 2010. The Nordurál company which runs the smelter has still to file for a license for the smelter as well as permission for emission of greenhouse gases. Morgunbladid reports.
A group of protestors gatherhed up in Helguvík on Saturday to protest the smelter, the protestors claimed that the smelter will be polluting and would prevent tourism in the area. Three of them were taken away by the police.
Members of the government as well as members of the town council in Sudurnes, where Helguvík is located said that the smelter would be a big advantage for the towns near Helguvík. “This means around 1000 well paid jobs here in Sudurnes […] this is extremely significant for us” Árni Sigfússon, the major of Reykjanesbær said.
