Alutrint:
Work on smelter starts this year
By Yvonne Webb
The Trinidad Guardian
Port
Spain
Petroleumworldtt.com
04 08 07
Pre-construction activities on the aluminium
smelter complex at Union Estate in La Brea is
likely to begin in the second half of 2007, with
completion in the latter half of 2009, Alutrint
has said.
Clement
James, Alutrint’s public affairs
manager, said Monday’s award of a Certificate
of Environmental Clearance (CEC) from the Environmental
Management Authority (EMA) represented the beginning
of a new chapter in the relationship among Alutrint,
the EMA and the national community.
In
a release, James said, “We intend to
maintain our successful communications strategy
and develop even closer links with all our stakeholders
especially our neighbouring communities.”
He
said the landmark decision of the EMA to go ahead
with construction of the 125,000 metric tonnes-per-year
plant, represented the culmination of a great deal
of effort from Alutrint and the EMA over the past
two years. The EMA’s decision was communicated
to the media by it chief executive Dave McIntosh.
“The EMA’s rigorous review during
that time bodes particularly well for La Brea and
surrounding communities as it assures them that
this project has been closely scrutinised by an
independent organisation that has verified that
the Alutrint smelter is environmentally acceptable
and manageable,” James said.
In addition, he said, it demonstrated to the people
of La Brea that a significant step had been taken
on their journey towards a revitalised and thriving
community.
“Alutrint acknowledges that it is a very
comprehensive CEC which we will review in the short
term in order to ensure that the EMA’s requested
deliverables are achieved within the time frames
specified,” he said.
He reaffirmed that Alutrint would consider all
health, safety and environmental regulatory requirements
as a minimum target, and continually strive to
improve upon statutory expectations.
From
Alutrint’s perspective, he said the
CEC would act as a strong project enabler that
will transform their activities from the project
development phase into a construction implementation
mode.
“It
also allows Alutrint to solidify our financial,
corporate and commercial undertakings
with key stakeholders, not the least of which is
CMEC, our lead China-based contractor.”
James
said CMEC played an integral role in satisfying
the EMA’s requirements.
He said Alutrint was grateful to the people of
La Brea and environs for their tremendous support
during the past few months.
Trinidad
Guardian
Thursday 5th April, 2007
Copyright
©2007 Trinidad Guardian. All Rights Reserved.
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