By SHARON LING
KUCHING: Rio Tinto Aluminium has appointed local environmental consultant Chemsain Konsultant Sdn Bhd and URS Australia Pty Ltd to conduct an environmental impact assessment (EIA) study for the proposed US$2bil (RM6.9bil) aluminium smelter in Bintulu.
The EIA, which is expected to take 15 months to complete, will include studies on air quality, noise, flora and fauna, land use and social impact.
Waste management, transport, surface water and groundwater impacts will also be included.
The proposed smelter, which will be known as Sarawak Aluminium Co (Salco), is a joint venture between Rio Tinto and Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd (CMSB).
Rio Tinto's general manager (smelter project development) Matt Liddy said the EIA was the first step towards ensuring all aspects of the environment are taken into account in the project.
"Respect for the environment is a fundamental part of Salco's approach and the study will ensure a smelter operation that uses world-class environmental management practices.
"We take these responsibilities seriously and environmental protection will be an integral part of the management of the smelter during construction and in operations," he said in a statement Tuesday.
The EIA study outcome will be used to optimise the design of the smelter and to prepare environmental management plans for Salco's construction and operation, he added.
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