Suriname Study Tour day 7

It is our last day at Queen’s Hotel and, with heavy hearts, we had our last breakfast. Breads, omelette, smoked sausage, green beans and carrots, saltfish and pies. Today, we spent our morning at the Suriname Aluminium Company - SURALCO. The drive was relatively short, one of the few short drives. To enter the compound, we parked up and took a company bus for the tour of the plant.



The Refinery Facilities at SURALCO



On arrival, we met Ms. Zamiba Kroes, the Communications Officer and Mr. Alvin Venetiaan, the Technical Manager.  Mr. Venetiaan delivered a detailed presentation on SURALCO and its history, right up to its present operations. After the presentation, we had a light snack of loempia and then boarded the company bus for the tour of the plant. We saw all the plants involved in the mining, refining and processing.

SURALCO is in the business of resource extraction and refining, which is potentially one of the most environmentally detrimental industries today. However, they have systematically eliminated or improved the worst of their practices. The smelting phase of their operations was terminated when their facilities were deemed below ALCOA’s global standards. When a mining site has been depleted, the site is rehabilitated and cared for until natural vegetative succession occurs. In addition, SURALCO has taken the responsibility to dispose of all their industrial waste products, as well as batteries, fluorescent bulbs and e-waste. In fact, they have set for themselves the ambitious goal of reducing their waste production by 75% by 2020. However, many challenges remain, including the dilemma of disposing waste left over from their smelting era. Smelting waste, such as spent pot liners, poses threats to aquifers and human health for decades. SURALCO, through the ALCOA Foundation, is investing in research programs to develop safer industry practices. In addition, SURALCO returns some of their profit towards the surrounding communities, through its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, which is managed by their Community Relations Department.

The IIEM Class at the Hydro-Electric Dam

 After visiting SURALCO, our group was able to see how one of the oldest established industries in Suriname operates when looking specifically at the technology employed. At the company, we observed most of the facilities and the equipment which was in existence since the company was established in 1916. This revelation immediately concerned us, especially when we considered the changes in technology that took place in the last ninety six years. It was not surprising to learn that it was difficult for them to find compatible technology. We were also informed that there is an automation department, which focuses on small process control automation. This department invests in enhancing the knowledge of the staff by enrolling them in the appropriate training facilities and courses.

SURALCO is one of nine international branches of Alcoa. Since the 1960’s, the company has engaged in exporting bauxite to the United States and the Netherlands. Currently, they service smelters in the USA, Canada, Norway and Iceland. Approximately 3-5% of SURALCO’s workers are expatriates but the majority are locals. Besides the local supply of bauxite, the Dominican Republic and Brazil also supply bauxite to the company. The company communicates with all Alcoa’s subsidiaries through an intranet where there are global virtual teams that exchange best practices, problems and solutions.

As previously mentioned, SURALCO is a member company of the Alcoa group of companies. Alcoa is very entrepreneurial in its activities, setting up a refinery and a smelter. SURALCO in itself is not very entrepreneurial as they take directives from the parent company with little or no autonomy. However, SURALCO can be thought of as enabling entrepreneurship through its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme and its spending on capital projects. SURALCO funds research at the Anton de Kom University and rehabilitation projects on the environment. SURALCO has also partnered with the government to produce a hydro electric plant, although the main use is to power its refinery and the surplus is made available to consumers.   

The most amazing part of this morning’s venture was our visit to Suriname’s Hydro Electric Dam. We stared open-mouthed as we got our first glimpse of the dam, which was extremely large. After viewing, we started on our long journey back to the hotel, a two hour journey, if I may add. We were later treated to a shopping opportunity and took full advantage of it.  

The Hydro-Electric Dam that powers SURALCO's operations

Suriname has proven itself to be a self-sustaining country that understands its resources and is seeking to take full advantage of it in order to recognize its potential for globalization. This is continually being enhanced by the move towards science, technology, innovation and unceasing entrepreneurial growth.

It is our genuine intent to be back as soon as we can. We will always take with us the many fond memories we shared over this last week on our study tour.