Alutrint Ltd has denied claims by anti-smelter activists and residents of La Brea that works are continuing at the Union Estate on Alutrint's aluminum smelter complex. So said Josie-Ann Richards, manager, communications and community relations at Alutrint.
Anti-smelter activists have said works were continuing at the site despite a High Court ruling from Justice Mira Dean-Armorer quashing a certificate of environment clearance (CEC) that gave the company approval to start construction. In a statement yesterday, Richards said, "Alutrint Ltd has noted recent reports in the media which refer to 'residents' observations of continued work on the Alutrint smelter site, in (alleged) defiance of the recent High Court ruling."
She said since Alutrint's inception, "There has always been full compliance and due process with all legal and relevant authorities in T&T." "This is reflected in part by our significant work performed to address the Environmental Management Authority's (EMA) rigorous requirements during the CEC application process, which resulted in the overall review period of two years," Richards said.
"Present activities on the Alutrint-designated site (which is north of the Vessigny River and South of Sobo Village) pertain to the temporary work camp (which is subject to a separate and approved CEC), and remedial work on an immediate safety hazard (that resulted from the unscheduled and immediate stoppage of works on June 16), which was communicated by the National Energy Corporation (NEC)–the manager of Union industrial estate–to the EMA as well as the residents of La Brea." Activists have reported seeing vehicles and equipment entering the site. In the meantime, NEC said works related to the smelter is continuing because separate CECs were provided for such works.
"For the benefit of the general public, the NEC wishes to advise that works underway at Union industrial estate, specifically the construction of the TGU power plant, the temporary work camp, for Alutrint's EPC contractor, the China National Machinery and Equipment, Import and Export Corporation (CMEC), the new port at Brighton, La Brea, as well as overall estate preparation works are governed by approved CECs, and as such, works will continue because they have approved CECs," NEC said in a statement.
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