MRN celebrates 45 years of consolidating sustainable mining in Western Pará, promoting reforestation of 7,5 thousand hectares and income generation and education programs.
MRN celebrates 45 years of operation, linking mining to sustainable development. In the framework of the first shipment of bauxite in Porto Trombetas, located in western Pará, the corporation celebrates its achievements and remains vigilant to explore new opportunities.
In addition to its trajectory, MRN highlights its initiatives in sustainable mining, ensuring the reforestation of 7,5 thousand hectares and the implementation of programs aimed at generating income and education. The company's commitment to responsible mineral extraction and environmental preservation grows stronger with each passing year. The mining industry is proud of the positive impact generated and continually seeks to innovate in its practices. The focus on sustainable practices reaffirms MRN as a leader in the sector, always ready to contribute to socio-environmental progress.
Since the first shipment of bauxite in 1979, exactly 45 years ago, in the Porto Trombetas district, MRN has stood out for its ability to innovate and respect the cultural roots of local communities.
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History of Mining at MRN
Taking constant care of the environment and maintaining a open dialogue with residents, the company is aligned with good practices that demonstrate its commitment to mining, which is increasingly sustainable in the western region of Pará. This journey more than four decades ago marked the lives of many people.
Among them is Denise Nunes, department manager at MRN who arrived in the region in 1996. Born in Salvador (BA), she highlights the professional evolution she achieved in the mining industry. 'My biggest milestone was this break in culture and region. Getting to know the northern region of the country, which I had no idea what it would be like, and today I say that I don't regret anything.'
Life and Career Testimonies
It's a great achievement to spend more than 26 years in a company that believed in my potential, from nutritionist to department manager', he commented. Denise's trajectory is similar to the paths taken by Dilson Castro Santos, with 42 years at MRN. He arrived in Porto Trombetas with his family at the end of the 70s, as his parents worked at MRN.
After completing high school in Belém (PA), he was hired by the company in 1982, as an office assistant, and continues with the company to this day, now as operations control technician. 'After having the opportunity to work at MRN as an office assistant, I started to gain a position in the personnel sector and, during this period, the company began to invest in the curriculum and I had the opportunity to take technical courses in management, security and even even electrical. I really thank God for having this chance.'
Commitment to Sustainable Mining
I saw the company grow with its structure and I feel grateful', he says. For Guido Germani, CEO of MRN, reports like those from Denise and Dilson reflect the company's commitment to good practices, sustainable development and respect for people. 'Our commitment is to a sustainable future, where mining respects the environment and values local communities. Celebrating 45 years with so many successful stories in the region, enabling changes in the lives of communities and employees, is witnessing the construction of an important legacy for the region.'
MRN's Socio-Environmental Initiatives
I can say that MRN has learned a lot over its 45 years, but we always have to emphasize that true progress is only achieved when we integrate economic development, environmental preservation and respect for people', he declares.
Development and income generation With initiatives aligned with social and environmental responsibility, the company promotes a series of actions that provide development opportunities and strengthen relationships with communities.
Among them are the Socio-environmental Education Program (PES), in compliance with the environmental conditions of the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama).
Community Education Programs
Composed of 11 distinct initiatives, the program is based on income generation, health promotion, education, culture and the environment. Maria do Socorro Pereira, resident of Lago Batata, is one of the participants in the activities. It integrates the Agroforestry Systems Support Project (SAFs), developed by MRN, which combines income generation and environmental preservation in the region.
From composting, recycling organic products, raising chickens and planting seedlings, there are several techniques she learned during her ongoing activities, ensuring customers and generating income for the community.
Impact on Residents' Lives
'Every month I look forward to new courses and I'm very happy to be here. SAFs has brought several benefits and with it I can place flour orders and I hope to have new knowledge and I am very happy to learn things I didn't already know', he comments. A resident of the Bom Jesus Community, Dirlene Meireles also participates in the SAFs project and highlights the benefits that the activity has provided. 'SAFs came at an important time for me and my family. It's a wonderful project and everyone is satisfied because it's a learning process that motivates us. I will continue with the project, cultivating, creating and I am grateful for the opportunity. I'm happy and reaping what I sowed,' she states.
Education and Qualification
It is not only with socio-environmental activities that the company serves residents of communities neighboring its operations. MRN, over its 45 years, has also enabled professional qualification and access to quality education with initiatives that have enhanced the formation of hundreds of quilombola families.
Through the Basic Education Support Program (PAEB), students who enter primary and secondary school, to continue their studies, receive support, free of charge: with school teaching materials, transport and food.
Support for Higher Education
Higher education students can benefit from the Higher Education Support Program (PAES), which guarantees a monthly financial aid grant, as well as a vacation ticket to visit family. Created in 1997, PAEB offers, free of charge, comprehensive education, with school and teaching materials, transportation and food.
PAES, which has been running since 2000, offers all the support necessary to enter undergraduate studies, with scholarships for higher education courses, in person or remotely. In 2023, PAEB has benefited 129 scholarship holders. PAES offers 52 students the possibility of accessing higher education and a new world of opportunities.
Continuing Education in the Amazon
The company also offers basic education and professional qualifications in other locations through the Project Education for the Amazon. Structured in 2022, the initiative offers courses in the areas of Educational Improvement, Professional Qualification and Free Courses.
The communities Lago do Ajudante, Abuí, Serrinha and Boa Vista, belonging to Oriximiná, have already benefited, as well as rural communities in the municipalities of Faro and Terra Santa. From its beginning until the end of last year, 368 students participated in the program, distributed in 28 classes, with 4.720 hours of coursework.
Professional Qualification and Opportunities
The company also offers professional courses so that community members can qualify and have the chance to enter the job market, offering knowledge and practical experience in a cutting-edge industrial environment, providing the qualification of young people from communities close to MRN and the opportunity for a promising career in the mining sector.
'Opportunities must be seized and I want to grow, joining a company that gives me recognition. Today, for women, it is very difficult to enter mining. I want to be seen and recognized one day', declares Gisele Ferreira, resident of the Boa Vista Community, who is taking part in the heavy machinery operation course, promoted by the company.
Mining and Sustainability
Demonstrating its commitment to environmental management and biodiversity conservation, MRN maintains the Mined Areas Recovery Program that guaranteed the reforestation of around 7,5 thousand hectares over 45 years of history with the planting of seedlings of native species such as Andiroba, Castanha-do-Pará, Copaíba, Cumaru and Itaúba.
This initiative, which involves local communities, in addition to generating income and strengthening dialogue between residents and the company, demonstrates the success of sustainable mining practiced by MRN and enables the return of fauna and flora to the region.
Waste Management and Certification
Combined with environmental preservation, the company also maintains its commitment to actions that guarantee the sustainable production of bauxite, such as solid waste management industrial and urban areas and air, water and noise monitoring. These actions ensure that, since 2021, MRN maintains the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certification in Performance and Chain of Custody (CoC) Standards.
This certification confirms the company's good management practices, based on the principles of ESG, which represents environmental, social and corporate governance sustainability. ASI certification is the only voluntary global sustainability initiative for the aluminum value chain, which includes bauxite mineral extraction.
Strategic Partnerships
Over its 45 years, MRN has consolidated partnerships with institutions that strengthen sustainable mining in the Amazon, such as Brazilian Aluminum Association (ABAL) and Brazilian Mining Institute (IBRAM). 'The history of MRN is also part of the history of aluminum in Brazil. The company has demonstrated an inexorable commitment to sustainable mining practices, care for the environment and innovation in production processes. The collaboration between ABAL and MRN is marked by constant dialogue and the search for joint solutions to the sector's challenges.'
Contribution to the Mining Industry
Among the main joint initiatives are the development of technical standards, development and holding of events that aim to promote the best practices in the aluminum industry', highlighted the Executive President of ABAL, Janaina Donas.
For Raul Jungmann, CEO of IBRAM, the existing partnership with MRN over the years has enabled a series of specialized services. 'As a private, non-profit entity with voluntary membership, our main focus is to offer members essential tools and resources for their growth and improved productivity.
MRN plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable mining in the Amazon, standing out as a significant example of commitment to good practices in the sector. By focusing on sustainable practices, MRN not only protects the Amazon environment, but also promotes the well-being of local populations and demonstrates how mining can be carried out in a responsible and beneficial way for everyone involved', he comments.
Valuing Local Labor
A valorization and development of regional labor, have been MRN's premises since the beginning of its operations. Who closely follows this care for the local population is Zilma Viana, who came from the Quilombola Serrinha Community, located in Alto Trombetas, in 1978. In 1990, she started working in an outsourced company which, according to her, made it possible to carry out his big dream: access to higher education. 'I had the opportunity to qualify with a technical and higher education course. This was a moment that, due to my financial conditions, I thought I would not be able to achieve. It was here that I succeeded and had all the support possible and today I feel like a fulfilled person,' she says.
Recognition and Achievements
Testimonials like Zilma's translate into achievements such as being, for the third time in a row, one of the 50 best large industries to work in in the country, according to the Great Place To Work (GPTW) ranking.
Source: © tiago.furtado@temple.com.br