It is reported that Norwegian Hydro replaced the previous tailings dam with bauxite tailings dry backfilling technology, so as to improve the safety and environmental protection of mining.
During the test phase of the new solution, Hydro invested approximately $5.5 million for the final disposal of tailings from mined areas and obtained an operating license from (SEMAS), the Para State Secretariat for Environment and Sustainability.
John Thuestad, Hydro's executive vice president of bauxite and alumina operations, said: "Hydro has been committed to promoting the sustainable development of the aluminum industry, so we have made efforts to pursue this attempt to avoid environmental hazards caused by the establishment of new permanent tailings reservoirs in bauxite mining."
Hydro's solution is the latest attempt at industrial bauxite tailings disposal, and Hydro has been testing the technology at the Minerao Paragominas bauxite mine in northern Para since July 2019. It is understood that the scheme does not require the continuous construction of new permanent tailings dams or even adding layers to the existing tailings dam structure, because the scheme adopts a method known as "dry backfilling of tailings". That is, inert dry tailings are backfilled in mined areas.
The test phase of Hydro's new solution is carried out under long-term monitoring and follow-up by environmental agencies and complies with the technical standards of the Environment Council (Conama). The application of this new solution in Brazil is an important step in sustainable development, improving operational safety and reducing Hydro's environmental footprint. The testing of the project was completed at the end of 2020 and was approved by the Para State Secretariat for Environment and Sustainable Development (SEMAS) on December 30, 2020.
