An Bord Pleanála, an independent, statutory, quasi-judicial body of Ireland, has approved the Russian-owned Aughinish Alumina Ltd. to expand its bauxite residue disposal area (BRDA, also known as red mud pond) at the Shannon Estuary to continue operations until 2039.

The refinery formally applied for the permit last year, in spite of some objections from local farmers and environmental groups such as Environmental Trust Ireland and Futureproof Clare.

However, Paul Caprani, Bord Pleanála Inspector, thought that there was no substantial evidence that BRDA had a structural deficiency.