Good points, Edgy. I've just gotten out of Automotive recently after being in it pretty much since I graduated. There are lots of bargaining tactics used, I wouldn't be the least bit suprized to see that being the case here.

Another thing to look at is wording... they SAY they are closing the smelter, could they just mothball it until it's needed for future use? Maybe they have plans to let it lie for now and fire it back up once they take over the Ring in five years time?