The Alcoa Juruti Bauxite Mine:
An Overview and Some Frequently Asked Questions
The Alcoa Juruti bauxite mine is part of a two-pronged, $2.2 billion investment program (the other being the expansion of the Sao Luis/Alumar alumina refinery). The operation, which consists of a port facility, a mine and a rail system to the port (click here for more info), has been constructed in the Amazon region to supply bauxite to the Alumar alumina refinery, but only after Alcoa made a commitment to itself and to future generations:
| “Alcoa will mine bauxite and return the area to the same, if not better, condition than when we initially arrived.” |
The Company will use the foundations of its world-recognized experience in land stewardship and rehabilitation in Western Australia (see before and after photos below) and in Pocos de Caldas (see rehabilitation work below) but will also go beyond and create a model that will be a benchmark in the industry.
Alcoa’s Pocos de Caldas more than 10 years after mining (click here to view a time progression)
As part of its numerous initiatives in this project, Alcoa has committed to expanding upon its long-held sustainable development principles in which the Company will help provide some of the necessary infrastructure to the Juruti region as a result of its presence in the form of US $18 million in investments the Company has committed to in its operating license. In addition, beyond what is planned as part of that commitment, Alcoa will invest an additional US $30 million in voluntary investments covering projects such as:
- Creation of a new regional hospital in Juruti as well as the expansion of another hospital. Prior to this, many people in Juruti had to travel by boat for 12 hours to get needed medical attention.
- Creation of two new technical schools to teach residents skills to improve their career opportunities for generations to come.
- Creation of three deep water wells for fresh water needs. These wells provide cleaner water to the city residents and will likely improve overall health conditions in the city.
(For more information on the Positive Agenda, please click here).
Alcoa tax dollars also have helped pay for the paving of the roads in Juruti where once there were only dirt roads.
The Alcoa approach to the Juruti project has led Conservation International, a leading sustainability NGO, to say, “Alcoa is raising the bar quite high and is creating hopefully a new model of how mining projects can be established in Amazonia without creating new waves of deforestation in the region.”
Click here for frequently asked questions
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