There was, understandably, huge relief last week when Rio Tinto announced the sale of its Lochaber operations to a group known as the GFG Alliance.
The new owners, a partnership between SIMEC and Liberty House, paid around £330 million for Rio Tinto’s 100 per cent shareholding in Alcan Aluminium UK Limited, which includes the operating smelter, the hydroelectric facilities at Kinlochleven and Lochaber, and all associated land.
As you would expect, there was a widespread welcome at the news from politicians of all hues and community and civic leaders. There had been uncertainty for a considerable period over the future of the plant, but the new owners have said they want to keep all the jobs and have hinted at expansion being a possibility.