Atlantic Alumina Refinery Submits Plan to Investigate Soil and Groundwater Contamination in Louisiana

Published: Feb 26, 2026 09:54

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[SMM Aluminum Express News] Atlantic Alumina (Atalco Gramercy) refinery in Louisiana submitted a site investigation plan (Jan 30, 2026) to LDEQ to test soil & groundwater for contamination from repeated “red mud” leaks into drainage leading to Blind River Swamp. The plan involves drilling borings, screening for heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, arsenic, etc.), and converting to monitoring wells, using strict EPA/Louisiana standards. Leaks started Aug 2024; more violations found 2025. Company agreed to remediation without admitting fault; no fines decided yet. Meanwhile, owner Concord Resources signed a DoD deal (Jan 2026) to expand the U.S.’s only bauxite refinery to >1M tpy alumina + gallium production.

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