Operating in the Brazilian Amazon

It is our belief that sustainability can drive profitability. To tackle climate changes we are investing in advanced technologies and harnessing sustainable initiatives to make our operations more responsible and safe. The most important source of information about our sustainability performance in Brazil is our Sustainability report for Hydro's operations in Brazil.

We recognize the impact of our operations and acknowledge the importance of continuously minimizing our environmental footprint and mitigating the potential impact to people, while creating value to our end users, to local communities, and to society.

We believe there is a way of conducting responsible, more sustainable, and safe operations in the Amazon region. We welcome dialogue to openly discuss the challenges, as well as the opportunities that can drive our efforts in the right direction.

Joint ventures in the Amazon

In the municipality of Oriximiná in Pará, Brazil, where the MRN bauxite mine is located, there is an ongoing dispute between Quilombola communities and Brazilian authorities regarding the title to land inside National Parks owned by the federal government. MRN is not a legal party in this conflict, but indirectly, the territory claimed by these communities encompasses certain areas that are planned to be mined by MRN in the future.

Concerns have been raised about traditional peoples’ rights during the process of the mine expansion. Hydro engages with MRN through its board of directors and committees to request that the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) and Quilombola consultation processes for the expansion project comply with local, national, and international standards. MRN is currently engaged in understanding and responding to local stakeholder expectations regarding concerns over the impacts of current and future operations on local communities.

MRN is engaged with stakeholders and supports the Sustainable Territories Program, a social program to promote the long-term development of traditional communities in Oriximiná. In 2020, MRN put in place measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19 including providing medical equipment and food to local Quilombola and other traditional communities.