In addition to sustainable actions discussed throughout this report, the following examples represent a cross section of initiatives related to corporate sustainability within the Bauxite, Alumina and Specialty Chemicals Group.

Using Alumina to Lower Arsenic Levels
Prior to the 1970s, most drinking water in India and Bangladesh originated from either surface water or shallow wells, resulting in frequent contamination with bacteria from sewage systems. In efforts to rectify this problem, local governments and aid organizations built a network of drilled tube wells to provide bacteria-free water.

Unfortunately, the safe water program had an unexpected side effect even more dangerous than the bacterial contamination. The water was found to contain high levels of naturally occurring arsenic, a known long-term carcinogen that also causes other serious health problems. In Bangladesh alone, it is estimated that over 35 million people are exposed to arsenic levels in excess of current World Health Organization guidelines.

In cooperation with a group of local partners in Bangladesh and India, Alcan devised a simple, low-cost and robust system that is used to treat the water in the tube wells. At the heart of the system is an Alcan-developed, alumina-based adsorbent that is very effective in removing arsenic from the water. The merits of the system have been evaluated by independent surveys and several thousand units are now in use by relief organizations such as UNICEF, the Red Cross, Rotary, World Vision, CARE and Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee.

Alcan is also working with other interested groups as the same arsenic problem exists, to a lesser extent, in several countries, including Argentina, China, Finland, France, Germany, Thailand, the U.K. and the U.S. The proprietary, activated alumina product is manufactured at Alcan's plant in Brockville, Ontario, Canada.

Combating AIDS in Ghana
With an apparent increase in the incidence of HIV/AIDS in communities surrounding our Ghana Bauxite Company Limited operations, there was a corresponding increase in the risk posed to our healthcare workers and the general workforce. Due to the remote location, the Company hospital also serves all inhabitants of the surrounding villages. From 1995 to 2001, a sampling of a general population mix showed an increase from 7% to almost 25% in those testing positive for HIV/AIDS.

The Company immediately took measures to help protect the community and the workforce from the spread of this disease. Current strategies include supplying special medications to the hospital, providing our workforce with information on safe sex practices, implementing safe medical practices such as using disposable syringes and scalpel blades, ensuring safe client contact measures, using only screened blood products for transfusions, and introducing thorough disinfecting and cleaning methods.

Returning Aboriginal Land to Nature
When the Gove bauxite mine was first established in the remote northeastern region of Australia in 1968, many of the aboriginal leaders were worried about the loss of the habitat that their clans shared with animals, birds and insects. From the beginning, an extensive rehabilitation plan was put in place to ensure that the food system, natural habitat and indigenous species would thrive again.

Today, Alcan is proud of the accomplishments at Gove where exhausted mine sites are rehabilitated with many of the same species that occupied the site before mining began. In cooperation with the local aboriginal clans, the Company's rehabilitation planning starts at least five years before mining begins. For example, clan members help gather seeds, which are then cleaned, inventoried and stored in air-conditioned facilities for eventual replanting on the same site once mining is completed. Topsoil removed from new mine sites—and rich in nutrients, insects, plants and seeds—is also immediately used on land to be rehabilitated.

Just 12 years from the start of site rehabilitation, indications are that tree and vegetation growth are mature enough to support similar bird species and densities as the native woodlands do. To date, out of a total accessed 3,295 hectares, the rehabilitation efforts at Gove have returned some 2,413 hectares of land back to nature—and the work is ongoing.

Land Disturbed and Rehabilitated