Alcoa Committee Criticizes Xunta for Lack of Action on Red Sludge Pond Expansion

The president of the Alcoa committee, José Antonio Zan, has expressed strong criticism towards the Xunta, accusing it of neglect and failing to convene a meeting to discuss the expansion of the red sludge pond (DBR).

According to a statement from the committee, the Alcoa de San Cibrao committee requested a meeting with the Xunta on June 18 to address the approval of the sludge pond. Despite receiving a response that the meeting would take place in a few weeks, the committee has yet to receive any further communication.

"We regret the lack of commitment from the Xunta government. The new administration has only met with the committee once since replacing Alberto Núñez Feijoo. It is worth noting that it was the Xunta that assured us in December 2021 that the permit would be granted by June 2022," Zan stated.

He also pointed out that during a technical meeting on May 6, the committee was informed that once the project moved from Saúde Pública to Medio Ambiente, the authorization process would be quick, as many issues had already been addressed. Furthermore, at a follow-up meeting on June 12 in Madrid, it was communicated that the project was already with the Environment department, yet a month and a half later, authorization has still not been granted.

The committee has criticized the president of the Xunta for being "very involved in future projects" while neglecting A Mariña and its workers.

As a result, the committee feels abandoned by the Xunta, highlighting that despite the Xunta's emphasis on the importance of the project, it has not met with the committee for three months to continue the technical discussions.