"By the way, my name is Marcio Clebe Rodrigues da Silva. I am 28 years old and I work in the bauxite mines in Paragominas. Many years ago, the area where we live and work used to be rainforest, but there is actually no rain forest where we do the bauxite mining. All the trees were cut down by farmers long time ago.
However, when we have taken out the bauxite, which we normally find in a 1-2 meter thick zone approximately 10 meters below the surface, we plant new trees and other plants which naturally belong in this area. So in some years there might be a tight rainforest here again.
I used to work as an operator for a timber mill here in Paragominas after I finished school. When Vale, the company that owned the mining operations until Hydro took over, a few years ago announced that they would start bauxite mining here, I decided to use the opportunity. I had to go through all the stages of interviews and tests, and when I passed I decided to quit my job in the timber mill and start working here.
It was nothing here when I came to the mining area the first time.
I had to go through one year of training. As usual, I shared a lot of what I learned with friends and neighbors at home. Honestly, I think sharing good things is one way I can help making the world a better place. When I share with people what we do and what I learn here in the mines, I also help giving them a better understanding of what kind of company we are.
Our area here in the mines is responsible for taking out the bauxite from the ground. The bauxite is being taken out and transported on trucks to be prepared for the transportation in pipes all the 244 kilometers to the Alunorte alumina refinery in Barcarena.
Part of my responsibilities here is supporting my supervisor in dealing with people. That’s what I like the most. I like people, like handling difficult situations, help solving problems and conflicts. There are different ways to treat people and different ways to give people information. It is easier to avoid problems and to meet our business goals if you treat people with respect. You can achieve a lot by making people understand how valuable they are.
I know that colleagues use to say that I have good relations to all people. I believe they are right. I love doing what I do. I love people and I am a kind of person who goes for it!”
A colleague says
“Marcio is the most positive person I know. He isn’t just positive, he acts positively and constructively both at work and privately. If you ask him for help, he’s always ready to lend a hand. He supports his colleagues completely. Marcio is a very special colleague who makes a difference.”
