Clydach Refinery, Wales

The Clydach Refinery - affectionately known as the Mond - was built in Clydach, near Swansea, Wales at the turn of the 20th century, and started production in 1902.

The plant, which was built by Ludwig Mond, the inventor of the nickel carbonyl process, was the heart of the village and one of the largest employers in the Swansea valley for many years. With improvements in processing and a rationalization of products, the refinery employs over 240 people in the town of 7,250 many of whom are pensioners and most of whom have had some connection with the Mond. Clydach was recently made part of the City of Swansea, Wales with an aggregate population of 230,000.

In 1999, a new $14 million expansion at Clydach was commissioned to serve the specialty nickel products market.

Community Involvement

Over the years, the Refinery has been at the heart of the town and our contribution continues. Each year, the company donates 12,000 pounds to a Community Liaison Committee comprised of local council members, community activists, school governors, teachers, and company representatives which in turn distributes the money to local charities on our behalf. The Committee meets bimonthly to discuss issues concerning the refinery and the community, including the disbursement of charitable donations on behalf of Vale Inco.

We support an industry-awareness program at 10 local schools, which is linked to the school curriculum. Every month, a class of school age children, between the ages of 10 to 11, tours the Clydach Refinery.

We also support the Clydach Development Trust, a fund recently established to attract financing from the European Union, Welsh Assembly and local authorities for projects to improve cultural and lifestyle amenities in the area.

Environment

Vale Inco has made huge strides in the environmental arena over the years and as legislation has become more stringent, the Refinery has kept pace improving all water and air borne discharges significantly, and working with the community to reduce noise especially at night.

The refinery is both OHSAS 18001 and IS 14001 certified.

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© Vale Inco 2007
Last Updated: November 28, 2007