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Alcoa's proposed project in Trinidad and Tobago brings with it decades of experience in working with local groups to achieve common goals of development and growth. The key to this process has been working with local community stakeholders as well as governments to get a clear understanding of needs, goals, benefits and impacts for all parties concerned. Follow the links below for some examples from similar projects conducted by Alcoa.
Stakeholder Consultation
Alcoa's current growth initiatives are underpinned by extensive stakeholder consultation. Such consultation is, by definition, often complex, and in some cases, has to deal with contentious issues. From our perspective, however, these are the very reasons that dictate the need for a robust process to ensure well planned and equitable development of any natural resource. It is a process to which Alcoa is strongly committed.
Iceland
After extensive community input and environmental studies, Alcoa received approval and support from Iceland to construct Fjardaál (aluminum of the fjords), an aluminum smelter at Reydarfjordur in Eastern Iceland. This project, approved by Iceland's parliament, is first new primary aluminum facility Alcoa has constructed in 20 years. Alcoa Fjardaál began production in 2007 and incorporates lessons and technology developed over the past 20 years to promote sustainability and minimise environmental impact. To learn more, visit Alcoa in Iceland. Alcoa is also pursuing expansion projects in Brazil and recently completed an expansion in Suriname.
Community involvement
Alcoa operates with the conviction that our future is linked to the future of our communities, that we are linked by mutual concerns and the prospect of building a better tomorrow. To learn more about Alcoa's community commitment, visit Alcoa in the Community. Examples of some of the capacity-building work that Alcoa has undertaken in nearby Suriname follow:
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Computer/Internet Centers
Alcoa, through Alcoa Foundation and in partnership with EDUCONS (a local computer-based education and distance-learning foundation), installed computer/internet centers in remote parts of Suriname. These centers, several of which are solar powered and connected via satellite technology, have brought new life to these communities and new hope for the children to have an education comparable to children living in cities.
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Mini Steel Mill
An Alcoa contractor is developing a small mill for remelting scrap steel in Suriname. The company's aim is to use the increasing availability of scrap steel in Suriname to compete against some grades of imported steel. Part of the investment capital will come from a loan negotiated with the Indian Government, and part will be raised locally. Alcoa is negotiating with Steel Industry Suriname on a long-term concession to enable the mill to be established on Alcoa property. This will bring new life to the currently abandoned Suralco Paranam labor village. When in production, the mill will employ around 80 people.
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Hydropower
After Alcoa closed its aluminum smelter in 1999 at the Paranam site, we began selling our excess hydropower to the Surinamese government at highly competitive rates. This additional low-cost power can be used to attract new businesses to Suriname. It is also a means of reducing air emissions because it reduces the demand on the town's diesel-generated power facility.
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Harvesting Wood, Building Jobs
With the cooperation of Alcoa, an entrepreneurial venture to harvest hardwood trees from Van Blommestein Lake has the potential to create 150 full-time jobs and help meet hardwood demand without encroaching on virgin Surinamese forest.
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A Native Approach to Mine Reclamation in Suriname
Women from a nearby native village, who are skilled planters and crop tenders, gather and plant seedlings as part of Alcoa's mine reclamation effort at in Suriname.
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