Alunorte was running at 50% capacity from March 1, 2018 until May 20, 2019, when the Federal Court lifted the refinery's production embargo. The embargoes of the new bauxite residue disposal area (DRS2) were lifted in September 2019.

As a result of the embargo on Alunorte, the bauxite mine Paragominas (which supplies Alunorte with bauxite) and the primary aluminum plant Albras (which receives alumina from Alunorte) also operated at half capacity.

During the 50% reduction in capacity at the three plants in Pará, Hydro remained committed to preserving as many jobs as possible by adopting measures such as collective vacations for around 1,000 refinery and mine workers.

On October 5, 2018, thousands of Hydro employees took to the streets of Barcarena (video above) in a peaceful demonstration in favor of Alunorte and to support the process to resume normal operations, securing value and jobs and Hydro's continued contribution to sustainable growth in Pará.

Paragominas also temporarily suspended employment contracts for 240 employees, an action regulated by Brazilian law, offering training programs to employees who had their contracts suspended in the period.

The Ministry of Labor (Ministério Público do Trabalho) and the respective trade unions were informed in advance of all measures taken to preserve the employees' jobs.