Brazilian environmental agency Ibama fined a Norsk Hydro ASA unit 20 million Brazilian reais and ordered the company to stop operations at the DRS2 bauxite residue disposal within its Alunorte alumina refinery in the country, Reuters reported March 1, citing Ibama.
The company confirmed the order to halt using DRS2, but did not mention the fine.
According to Norsk Hydro, DRS2 will be suspended until authorities verify that an operational license for it has been issued. Alunorte has an installation license covering the construction and commissioning of DRS2, but Ibama claims Alunorte was operating without environmental licenses.
Just a few days ago, the company was ordered to cut output from Alunorte by 50% after heavy metals had been found in surface waters near the facility; authorities attributed this to a leak. Norsk Hydro denied the spill but said it will comply with the government order.
As of Feb. 28, US$1 was equivalent to 3.24 Brazilian reais.
