Alcoa smelter will meet standards

Please note that the issues in question have previously been addressed publicly by Alcoa. In addition, information about the concerns is available on our local website: www.alcoa.com/trini-dadtobago.

Specifically: The proposed Cap-de-Ville smelter will meet internationally accepted standards for protection of the environment and human health, such as those enforced by the United States Environment Protection Agency (US/EPA) and those recommended by the World Bank and World Health Organisation (WHO).

In addition, ambient air quality will be monitored at the smelter’s boundaries and publicly reported. Further, because of Alcoa’s commitment to open communication and full transparency during this project, details of the environmental, health, and safety issues arising from the smelting process, the technology and work practices required to manage them safely, and contingency plans for managing any breakdowns in the system will be fully canvassed during the forthcoming public Environment Impact Assessment.

As we have said many times publicly and as has been reported in the Trinidad media, our current plan with regard to the disposal of spent pot lining is to ship it to our processing facility in Gum Springs, Arkansas.

This is a specialised treatment facility, owned and operated by Alcoa, and licenced and regulated by the US/EPA. This is in keeping with Alcoa’s commitment to adhere to the strictest environmental standards and laws as well as the Basel Convention, which enables properly permitted and safely managed transportation of such materials. A cursory review of the Basel Convention website http://www.basel.int/pub/basics.html).

We estimate that an annual contribution of approximately US$100 million to the Trinidad and Tobago economy (when the smelter is operational) can be obtained from consumption of approximately five percent of the total gas reserves produced by the country over the next 30 years.

This is truly putting Trinidad and Tobago’s energy to work in Trinidad and Tobago.

In keeping with our open-door policy, we remain available and willing to discuss this proposed project in detail with your correspondents and editorial staff.

WADE HUGHES

Director, Public Strategy

Global Primary Products Growth-Alcoa