7 April 2008
[Access to full article requires paid subscription] JURUTI, Brazil -- The global commodities boom has spurred Alcoa Inc. to spend more than $35 million to bring a hospital, water system and technical skills to this remote jungle town.
The aim is to keep the peace while developing a mine that it hopes will supply 10% of the world's bauxite, a major ingredient for making aluminum.
Humanitarian efforts stemming from the New York aluminum company's Juruti investment marks a shift in the balance of power between Western mineral companies and residents of resource-rich countries. Growing demand from nations like China has sent Western companies to more remote and ...
