Home Complaints database MAB and Terra de Direitos vs Alcoa Alumínios
Complaint

MAB and Terra de Direitos vs Alcoa Alumínios

Alcoa Alumínios et al hydroelectric dam in Brazil

Date filed
6 June 2005
Keywords
Countries of harm
Current status
Blocked
Sector
NCP

Allegations

The complaint alleges that Alcoa Alumínios S.A. and Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio, both of the Grupo Votorantim, have knowingly utilised a fraudulent environmental impact assessment to construct the Barra Grande hydroelectric plant in the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. The companies are majority shareholders in Baesa consortium, the company responsible for the construction.

Relevant OECD Guidelines

Outcome

In September 2005, the Brazilian NCP accepted the case and held a meeting with the complainants. The head of the NCP promised to organize more meetings, but admitted that the political situation in Brazil would make it difficult to resolve the case. The complainants heard from unofficial sources that the NCP planned to close the case due to a lack of evidence about the behaviour of the companies; however, the NGOs maintain they have sufficient evidence. No progress has been made since, and the complainants consider the case “blocked”. They hope that the recent appointment of a new head of the NCP will handle the case more effectively than his predecessors.

More details

Defendant
Other companies involved
Complainants
Affected people

Related complaints

Documents

  • accept
    1 July 2005

    The NCP has accepted the case.

    NCP Brazil
  • file
    6 June 2005

    The Movement of Populations Affected by Dams (Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragens – MAB) and Land of Rights (Terra de Direitos) filed a complaint against Alcoa Alumínios at the Brazilian National Contact Point.

    MAB
  • press release
    6 June 2005

    The complainants issued a press release about the filing of the complaint.

    MAB