Minister Burke Disputes 80% Alumina Export to Russia, Cites Ongoing Investigation
Minister Peter Burke denies knowledge of Irish alumina exports to Russia being used for weapons, disputing figures showing 83% of Q1 exports went there. He claims Aughinish Alumina provided incorrect data, suggesting a 45% split to Russia and the EU. An investigation is underway, with findings to be shared with the European Commission.
Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke stated he has «no information» confirming that Co Limerick plant Aughinish Alumina exports alumina to Russia for weapons production used against Ukraine. He disputed official figures, reported by The Irish Times, indicating 83% (200,619 tonnes) of Ireland's alumina exports in Q1 this year went to Russia.
Burke claimed Aughinish Alumina provided incorrect data to the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and is now rectifying it. He suggested the actual export split is 45% to the EU and other countries, and 45% to Russia. His department is conducting an investigation, the findings of which will be shared with the European Commission. Burke admitted «boots on the ground» in Russia would be needed for precise tracking.
An Irish Times investigation in March, with the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, found Aughinish shipped alumina to Russian smelters, then sold to ASK, a supplier for Russian arms manufacturers. Despite calls for sanctions, Aughinish warned of EU-wide alumina shortages, job losses in Limerick, and grid impact. The plant is not expected in the next EU sanctions round due to potential harm to European industry. Alumina is considered a «critical raw material» for the EU and is not currently a dual-use sanctioned product.