The results of a new poll show that most Icelanders have a positive outlook towards Iceland’s aluminium production.
While Iceland engages in other aspects of heavy industry, aluminium remains one of the more controversial fields. The Kárahnjúkar dam project, for example – which prompted the creation of environmentalist group Saving Iceland – was initiated in order to supply power to an aluminium facility. In 2007, a town referendum on increasing the size of a smelter in Hafnarfjörður narrowly rejected the proposed expansion.
Despite these areas of contention, most Icelanders view aluminium production in Iceland positively, Morgunblaðið reports.
According to a Capacent poll conducted for The Icelandic Association of Aluminum Producers, 56% of respondents viewed the industry positively. 20% had a negative outlook, and 20% had no opinion on the matter.
806,000 tonnes of aluminium were produced in the past year, up from 250,000 tonnes ten years ago. Revenue generated amounted to about 230 billion ISK, or 40% of Iceland’s export revenue – similar to that generated by fishing.
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