Media Topics The Alunorte situation Timeline of key events Concerns about spills of bauxite residue – reports confirm no overflow Concerns about spills of bauxite residue – reports confirm no overflow Following the rainfall, communities around the alumina refinery were concerned that flooding could have resulted in overflows or leaks from Alunorte’s bauxite residue deposits into surrounding areas. Bauxite residue is a byproduct of the alumina refining process. At Alunorte, the bauxite residue is dry-stacked, and stored in bauxite residue deposits. The rainwater that falls on these solid residue deposits is drained to the edges, and from there goes via a drainage system to containment basins. This water, which has been in contact with the bauxite residue, is then processed through the water treatment plant at Alunorte where it is treated before being discharged into the Pará river. Around the time of the floods, there were local reports that the floods had affected the residue deposits and rumors circulated that they had overflowed into the surrounding area and contaminated local communities. The Brazilian authorities were likewise concerned and initiated multiple inspections of Alunorte. No overflow from Alunorte’s bauxite residue deposits Since then, several investigations and inspections have been conducted that confirm there were no leaks or overflow from Alunorte’s bauxite residue deposits. These include: IBAMA – Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (a federal environmental agency under the Ministry of Environment). SEMAS – the Secretary of State for Environment and Sustainability(environmental agency in the state Pará). Civil Defense SEMADE – the Secretariat of Environment and Economic Development of Barcarena (environmental agency in the city of Barcarena) Study by professors from the Federal University of Campina Grande, Brazil SGW Services (an Brazilian environmental consultancy, hired by Hydro to conduct an independent review of Alunorte and the impact of the heavy rainfall) Updated: October 16, 2019 Key events Concerns about spills of bauxite residue – reports confirm no overflow Embargos following the rainfall Alunorte discharged partly treated rainwater Operational upgrades to Alunorte Strengthening our community engagement Impact on employees Dialogue with Brazilian authorities to resume normal operations Timeline About Hydro Key facts Hydro worldwide The Hydro Way Brand center Corporate governance Modern Slavery Transparency statement Website cookies Contact Contact Media contacts Investor Relations Contacts Customer service portal Follow us Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Flickr YouTube Shapes Suppliers Privacy policy Terms & conditions Accessibility Sitemap © 2021 Norsk Hydro ASA