30 years of Alunorte: Stories from the people who built one of the world's largest alumina refinery

September 2, 2025

For three decades, Alunorte has stood as more than one of the world’s largest alumina refinery – it represents the ongoing commitment and achievements of the people and families who shaped its growth. Explore how decades of dedication and expertise have defined Barcarena’s development and Alunorte’s enduring legacy.

Alunorte, one of the world’s largest alumina refinery in one plant site, celebrates 30 years of operations by revisiting its journey through the stories of those who built it. The company’s history is more the just numbers and production milestones, it is the stories of the families and the generations of professionals who grew up alongside the refinery.

Carlos Abrantes has seen firsthand the impact of 30 years of operations on the development of the municipality of Barcarena, in Pará, where the refinery is located.  Carlos is the Logistics and Warehouse Manager of Alunorte. He is originally from Minas Gerais and graduated as a Mechanical Engineer in 1982. He moved to Pará shortly after graduation to work in the mining sector. In 1984, he arrived in Barcarena to work as a Warehouse Supervisor at Hydro’s joint venture Albras, the largest primary aluminium producer in Brazil. 

With over 40 years in Hydro, Carlos witnessed firsthand how the area evolved and played a fundamental role in the company by ensuring materials were always available for operations in the warehouse and logistics sectors, as well as in supplies and maintenance. 

"When I arrived, the infrastructure was completely different. I saw Vila dos Cabanos, (where Alunorte and Albras are located) grow, the company expand, and I had the privilege of raising my three children here. Being part of this construction from the beginning and seeing the positive impact we generated is an immense achievement," says Carlos.

The operationalization of Alunorte on July 15, 1995, was the starting point. Joel Miranda, currently Manager of Special Projects Operations, was a Control Room Operator at that time and was on the front line for the historic day. He recalls the excitement of the first weeks, the support of a multinational team and the sense of accomplishment. 

"It was a long awaited moment and the pinnacle of a project that required a lot of work. Looking back and seeing we were about 700 people and today we are almost 2,300 gives a sense of our transformation," says Joel.

Alunorte has undergone three major expansions over its 30 years, increasing its production capacity from 1.6 million to 6.3 million tonnes annually. 

"When I walk through Alunorte, which once occupied a much smaller area, a movie plays in my head. I remember with happiness the inaugurations of each section we built and moments of my life that I lived working at the company," says Joel, highlighting the feeling of being part of these processes.

Sebastião Souza, a Senior Process Specialist, is another essential figure in the development of Alunorte. Originally from Belém, the metallurgy technician moved to Barcarena in 1985 to work at Albras and joined the team responsible for preparing the equipment for the start of operations at Alunorte. 

"I was invited to participate in all the commissioning, which is the testing and validation phase of the facility, to ensure everything was ready for the inauguration. I have carried out the commissioning of various new equipment as well during expansions. Celebrating 30 years of Alunorte is an honor because it's a company that has always conveyed trust and recognition to me," recalls Sebastião.

Sebastião’s involvement with Alunorte inspired his children, Maitê, Rafaela, and Marlon, to follow in his footsteps, applying for a selection of vacancies. 

"I moved to the village when the first houses were being built and I raised my children there. I feel extremely grateful to see I managed to encourage them so they graduated in engineering and joined Alunorte," says Sebastião. 

Marlon was the first to join eight years ago. He is currently responsible for Senior Management of Clarification. Maitê, Maintenance Supervisor at the filter press, joined three years ago. 

"Alunorte has always been part of our lives and has always provided well for us. We grew up seeing our father come home in uniform, with a helmet and hearing his stories. This generated admiration that motivated us to dream of one day working here too," says Maitê.

Rafaela was the third of Sebastião’s children to join and is an Electrical Engineer at the central workshop.  She has been with the company for two years.

"It's incredible to be able to exchange experiences with my father and siblings. Our family gatherings often revolve around Alunorte, sharing learnings and challenges. It's a connection that goes above and beyond," says Rafaela.