No opening from Glencore. But there is a glimmer of hope: the Government is considering an expression of interest from a party that would be interested in acquiring the zinc production line, currently owned by the Swiss multinational.
This is the conclusion of the summit at the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy on the Portovesme Srl dispute.
The meeting with Minister Adolfo Urso, Undersecretary Fausta Bergamotto and representatives of Glencore was attended by the Industry Councillor Emanuele Cani, the Labour Councillor Desirè Manca and the Environment Councillor Rosanna Laconi, the latter remotely, for the Sardinia Region.
"The company's total refusal to evaluate any hypothesis that contemplates keeping the zinc production plant in operation is still evident," commented Councilor Cani. "We as a Region have reiterated the need to keep it open, and despite the perplexities of the case," concluded the Councilor, "we look with cautious confidence at the expression of interest by an entrepreneurial entity interested in taking over the zinc line."
"The meeting with Glencore was disappointing. The company confirmed the shutdown of the zinc line in Portovesme, the Sulcis plant, for next December 31, keeping only the Waelz line running, that is, the treatment of steelworks fumes". This is what Fabrizio Framarini, secretary of the Femca Cisl national chemical sector and Vincenzo Lai, general secretary of Femca Cisl Sardinia Centro Sud, said at the end of the meeting.
"However," they add, "we have learned that the multinational's project for the transformation of lithium has been filed with the European Commission. A sign of hope, combined with a cautious opening towards the Government and the unions, on the possibility of keeping the production site active beyond the date indicated for the closure, if Mimit were to meet the interest of a new industrial entity."
Now "the next step is December 20, the date by which Mimit will carry out the necessary on-site checks, aimed at involving a new partner and formulating a proposal that will prevent the closure of the plants".
The position of the Cgil is firm. We are not available "to accept downward trades or useless waiting while productions are closed, workers from contracts are sent home and time is taken while waiting for alternative projects to the production of zinc and lead": these are the words of the regional and national secretaries of the Cgil Fausto Durante and Pino Gesmundo on the outcome of the meeting.
According to the unionists, Glencore "no longer wants to produce lead and zinc in Sardinia and this must induce all parties involved, starting with the Government and the Region, to do everything necessary to ensure that those productions are maintained at the Portoscuso site, also through the identification of other industrial entities, but it is clear that until this circumstance is achieved, Glencore will have to guarantee both the continuation of the zinc line, which is essential for the functionality and efficiency of the plants for the industrial entity that will hopefully arrive, and the continuity of the employment relationships of all employees, both direct and indirect".
(Unioneonline/E.Fr.)