IBAMA authorises Alunorte to utilize bauxite residue press filter as first step to resume 50% operations

A press release from Norsk Hydro confirms that the federal environmental agency IBAMA authorised alumina refinery Alunorte on October, 5th, to utilize its state-of-the art press filter technology in the processing of bauxite residues. This will extend the life of its DRS1 bauxite residue disposal area and allow Alunorte to continue operations on safe conditions.

After getting green signal from IBAMA’s, Alunorte will now have to obtain authorization from SEMAS, Secretary of State for Environment and Sustainability to use the press filter on DRS1. This filter can covert the red mud slurry into stackable residues with considerably less water content than the drum filter. Once Alunorte receives this authorization, it can re-start refinery operations at 50% of capacity. 
            
“We are ready to re-start our operations and we thank for all the support that we have received from the authorities and society. We are now making every effort to go back to producing as we maintain our dialog with authorities to resume full production,” said John Thuestad, head of Hydro’s Bauxite and Alumina business area.

He added that the refinery shutdown would also affect the operations at Hydro’s bauxite mine Paragominas and its joint-venture primary aluminium smelter Albras. So, resuming 50 per cent production at Alunorte would also allow both these facilities to continue operating at half capacity. Otherwise the plant as well as mine would have be shut down as a consequence of Alunorte being idled.