SGW to conduct an independent review at Alunorte alumina refinery

Hydro announced that SGW Services will conduct an independent review of the water treatment and effluent management systems at its Alunorte alumina refinery in Barcarena. The independent review by SGW is expected to announce its conclusions during the first week of April. 

"The objective of the SGW review is to assess whether Alunorte’s water and effluent management system has been operated according to design specifications, applicable permits and legislation, and relevant internal and external requirements. The review will especially focus on all outlets discharging into Alunorte’s external environment, and specify any identified irregularities or gaps,” according to company press release.

SGW will conduct an independent environmental review in two phases. The first phase will cover the entirety of Alunorte, except the bauxite residue deposits by the first deadline set for the first week of April, while the second phase also including the deposits is due towards the end of April.

SGW is an environmental consultancy formed by a multidisciplinary team of specialists with comprehensive technical knowledge and experience in environmental projects in Brazil and Latin America.

Alunorte is the world’s largest alumina refinery, employs around 2,000 people and has a nameplate capacity of an annual 6.3 million tonnes. Hydro owns 92.1 percent of Alunorte.