MP Misiekaba warns Alcoa: “Don’t mess with Suriname’s interests”
“Alcoa which is internationally renowned company must remain correct. Alcoa must not mess with the interests of Suriname,” said MP Andre Misiekaba (NDP) in Parliament. MP Misiekaba’s warning came in response of the announcement of Alcoa regarding its plans for the refinery at Paranam and the hydropower plant in Brokopondo. Alcoa made the announcement without informing Suriname’s Parliament first. “Alcoa has been warned,” said MP Misiekaba. In the first week of January Alcoa Corp said it would permanently close its Suralco alumina refinery and bauxite mines in Suriname, more than a year after stopping production at the plant. The company said it would record $90 million in charges in the fourth quarter of 2016 related to the restructuring. Alcoa stopped production at the Suralco refinery, which has an annual refining capacity of 2.2 million metric tons, in 2015 due to dwindling bauxite ore supply. Suralco is part of the Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC) group of companies owned 60 percent by Alcoa and 40 percent by Alumina Limited. Parliament has reportedly instructed the government to return to the negotiating table with Alcoa with its recommendations. Parliament’s proposals are aimed at ending the Brokopondo agreement. Parliament made it clear that if Alcoa has decided to permanently close its Suralco alumina refinery and bauxite mines in Suriname, it would mean that the agreement is no longer valid and that there should be consequences. One of the consequences is that the hydropower plant must return to the government’s bosom.
Natural Resources (NH) Minister Regillio Dodson is expected to answer questions regarding this issue on January 26.
MP Gregory Rusland (NPS) expressed grave concern regarding the environment aspects that Minister Dodson had brought to the attention of the nation’s legislators. Sources told Times of Suriname that toxic substances are being released by parts of the refinery at Paranam and that the cleanup would cost about $80 million.