27 4 Uk Alcan Smelting and Power 08

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UK-S-000032

Lynemouth Smelter and

Power Station

EnvironmentalReport 2008


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02

Contents Page

3 MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGING DIRECTOR

4-6 SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF OPERATIONS

4 Lynemouth Power Station5 Lynemouth Smelter

7-9 SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMESDURING 2006 2008

10 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS10 Environmental Policy10 Certification of Environmental Management Systems

11-13 ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS, LICENCES AND LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS

11 Lynemouth Smelter & Power Station13 Permit Requirements

14 DEMONSTRATION OF CONTINUAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT

14 Lynemouth Power Station15 Lynemouth Power Station Operational Performance

16 Lynemouth Smelter17 Lynemouth Smelter Operational Performance

18 COMPLAINTS

18 GLOSSARY OF TERMS

18 FURTHER INFORMATION


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Welcome to the 2008 Environmental Statement for LynemouthSmelter and Power Station. This report is addressed tomembers of the public and other interested parties toprovide an update on our environmental performance and

achievements during the period 2006 2008 and ourprogramme for further improvements in 2009 and beyond.

Registration to EMAS was first achieved in April 1997(Reg. No. UK-S-000032) and this is our 13th published report.

The business has faced tremendous challenges across the globeas a result of the sudden and unexpected reduction in demandfor aluminium in our traditional markets. In response wesuspended production by about one third during the lastquarter of the year. As the process is usually entirely continuousthis allows us a rare opportunity to implement structural

Message from theManaging Director

energy efficiency projects at this time. As the market improveswe are well positioned to restart production safely and efficiently.

We are making rigorous improvements on process control,

which is expected to yield sustainable benefits in terms ofresource efficiency and productivity. In 2008 the organisation

was realigned and resourced to implement significant andcontinuous improvement. We are committed to a relentlessdrive to deliver a world class manufacturing facility.

Elsewhere in this Statement we outline the great work thathas been done by staff and contractors working at Lynemouth.Our environmental aspirations remain as high as ever and we

will continue to seek innovative ways to meet the demandingchallenges of reducing climate change and improving resourceefficiency.

Wyn Jones OBE, Managing Director

This report has been prepared to comply with the requirements of the EC Eco-Management and Audit Scheme.

03


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Site Location andDescription of Operations

Lynemouth Power Station is situated on the Northumberlandcoast near Ashington. The Power Station commencedoperations in 1971 to supply electrical power to Rio Tinto

Alcans adjacent aluminium smelter and is coal fired withbiomass input. Coal and biomass supplies are delivered froma variety of sources in the UK and abroad. The fuel istransported by road and rail, and these are delivered to thestocking ground to the north of the site. Biomass is kept in adedicated shed near the coal yard. Three pulverised fuel fired

boilers are used to produce high pressure steam to drive three

turbine generator trains. Most of the electricity produced isused directly in the aluminium smelting process, with anysurplus power sold to the local electricity system.

The Power Station used over 1.2 million tonnes of coal andover 29,500 tonnes of biomass last year. A blend of fuel oiland gas oil is used to start-up the units and as a secondaryfuel. The Power Station operates continuously with acapacity of 420MW.

Power Generation

Flow Diagram

SiteLoca

tionandDescription

Lynemouth Power Station

04


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SiteLoca

tionandDescription

05

Lynemouth SmelterRio Tinto Alcans Lynemouth Smelter is a primary aluminiumsmelter, producing aluminium by electrolysis of refined ores. Itis located 1km from the coast and uses electricity supplied byRio Tinto Alcans Power Station.

The Lynemouth Smelter complex consists of raw material

unloading facilities, an anode production plant, potrooms forthe production of liquid aluminium and a casthouse for theproduction of aluminium sheet ingot.

The Blyth Ship Unloading Facility (SUF) is situatedapproximately 8 km south of the Smelter site and is the mainterminal for receipt of alumina and calcined petroleum coke.These raw materials are unloaded by a suction unloader.

Alumina is the refined ore used in primary aluminiumproduction and calcined petroleum coke is used to manufacturecarbon anodes consumed in the electrolytic process. BlythSUF handled almost 380,000 tonnes of alumina and nearly50,000 tonnes of calcined petroleum coke during 2008.

Alumina is transported from Blyth to Lynemouth by rail using

a dedicated sealed tanker fleet. Under normal operatingconditions, twice a day, six days a week rail wagons travel tothe Smelter to deliver alumina. Alumina is also transported

by rail to Rio Tinto Alcans Lochaber Smelter near FortWilliam in the Highlands of Scotland. Carbon materials aretransported by road.

Lynemouths Carbon Plant currently produces around 115,000tonnes of anodes per year at present rates of production.

Anodes are produced both for the Lynemouth Smelter andfor Rio Tinto Alcans Lochaber Smelter at Fort William inScotland.

Aluminium is produced in 352 individual pots or electrolyticcells. These are arranged in two electrical series (or Potlines)each consisting of two rooms. The Smelter consists of aCarbon Plant for the manufacture of carbon anodes, the twopotlines for the electrolytic reduction of alumina to aluminiumand an aluminium Casting Plant.

Aluminium Smelting

Flow Diagram


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06

SiteLoca

tionandDescription

Rio Tinto Alcan's Lynemouth Smelter has been in operationsince 1972 and produced more than 165,000 tonnes of castproduct in 2008.

The main saleable product from Lynemouth Smelter is sheetingot cast in 8-15 tonne slabs. This material is transported torolling mills in Rogerstone in South Wales, Bridgnorth inShropshire, and AluNorf in Germany.

The land immediately adjacent to the Smelter is predominantlyagricultural, with small patches of woodland. Alcan FarmsLimited farm 4,611 acres of land adjacent to the Smelterconsisting of mixed arable, beef and sheep farming.

The Queen Elizabeth II Country Park is located 1 km to thesouth west of the site and the Northumberland coastline, withthe exception of the area immediately adjacent to the PowerStation and the colliery, is designated as a Special Protection

Area (SPA) . In the area immediately adjacent to the PowerStation and the colliery additional coastal protection work has

been completed, in cooperation with Northumberland CountyCouncil, to ensure the power station is protected from erosionand flooding from the sea.

On the 2nd February 2000 the area of land adjacent to theBlyth Ship Unloading Facility was designated as a RAMSAR /Special Protection Area for protection of six birds ofinternational importance and two species of rare grasses.

Sheet ingot ready for transport.


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07

SummaryofEnvironmentalImproveme

nt

Local Air QualityManaging local air quality remains integral to the running of

power station operations and in 2008 record levels of electricity

generation were achieved while attaining low levels of sulphur

dioxide (SO2) emissions and low levels of carbon dioxide

(CO2) emissions (measured in

kg/kwh). These improvements

were achieved mainly through

the burning of low sulphurcoal and unparalleled use of

biomass (over 29,500 tonnes).

Biomass is classified as

carbon neutral and is

typically forestry and wood

production residue from

sustainable sources.

At Lynemouth other recentimprovements include theconstruction of a canopy overthe biomass elevator, giving us

an enclosed bucket elevatorfor the on-site movement ofbiomass, which means lessdust escaping when conveyingthe biomass to the powerstation furnaces.

Summary of EnvironmentalImprovement Programmes

during 2006 2008Fluoride EmissionsOver the last three years record low smelter fluoride emissions

were reported with site emissions of 1.1kg per tonne/aluminiumin 2006, 0.9kg per tonne/aluminium in 2007 and 0.9kg pertonne/aluminium in 2008. The decrease in emissions is aresult of continuous improvement projects with improvementsto reduce fugitive gas and dust emissions from the potroomprocess. These included improved process monitoring, reduced

scrubber downtime through preventative maintenance andimproved capture of potroom process emissions, including theuse of a thermographic camera to identify blocked scrubberductwork. A team of Alcan technology experts visited the siteduring February 2006 to carry out a comprehensive audit ofthe potroom scrubber systems which praised the improvementsat Lynemouth whilst providing specialist advice on achievingeven lower emissions in future years.

Loading biomass

into the elevator.

Smelter complex.


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08


nt

Carbon PlantFurnace Rebuilds

Anode baking efficiency has been greatly improved followingthe redesign and rebuild of Carbon Bake Furnace 2 in 2006and Carbon Bake Furnace 1 in 2007. Part of the anode

production process involves the baking of the carbon anodesin a gas fired furnace. Gas consumption has been reduced by43.5% using state of the art technology for both the flue

design and the firing system. In addition to the energysaving and its CO2 reductions, the volume of fume going fortreatment has been reduced by nearly 50%. The 6.5 million

rebuild process included a new computer system controllingthe firing cycle to further optimise the baking process

to reduce gas consumption and therefore emissions ofcarbon dioxide (CO2).

Furnace operations following the re-build.

Landfill cap in September 2007. Landfill cap today.

WoodhornLandfill Site

Woodhorn Landfill, previously used primarily for the disposalof Spent Potlining (SPL) was successfully closed and capped inSeptember 2007. The finished design restored the area topreviously agreed land contours which enabled Rio Tinto

Alcan to utilise over 46,000 tonnes of Pulverised Fuel Ash(PFA) that would otherwise have gone to landfill as a fillmaterial to bring the landfill up to its correct finished height.

A year after capping the old landfill is now a part of thenatural landscape.


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09

Articulated lorries being loaded with ash.


nt

Chemical storage facilities.

Storage building for oily waste.

Water SavingsA detailed water mass balance was carried for the CarbonPlant. The project which started late 2007 required theinstallation of a number of water meters and tracking ofconsumption at various points around the plant. As part ofthe project a once through cooling system was eliminated withsavings achieved of approximately 10,000m3 during 2008.Further savings have been achieved due to reduced production

during 2008. The target of 1.65 m3/tonne for the smelter wasachieved with an actual usage of 1.63 m3/tonne.

WasteOur target of 5kg/tonne was successfully achieved in 2008,after closely missing the target in both 2006 and 2007. It hastaken hard work and creativity to reach this level, however weare looking at ways to further reduce, reuse and recycle the

waste we do produce.

We have improved control over chemical and oil contaminated

waste with the implementation of waste chemical storagefacilities for chemical containers and the introduction ofan undercover collection and containment area for oilcontaminated waste. Waste contaminated with oil, like ragsand filters are collected in dedicated containers and stored inthe oily waste container store before removal to an approvedtreatment facility.

Ash RecyclingAsh is a direct waste product from burning coal at LynemouthPower Station and has shown to be useful as a sub-fill material

in the road construction industry and for making productslike grout. Using ash as a product offers real environmental

benefits by removing the need to use raw materials. It alsomeans that a waste that would usually be landfilled becomesa useful product. During 2006 an opportunity to recyclearound 100,000 tonnes of power station ash was madeavailable as a result of a large local building project. Aftersuccessfully reusing ash in 2006 ash recycling continued into2007 where over 63,000 tonnes was removed directly from thePower Station and 100,000 tonnes of ash was taken from the

Ash Lagoons landfill site for useful purposes.


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10

Environm

entalManagem

entSystems

EnvironmentalManagement Systems

EnvironmentalPolicyLynemouth Smelter and Lynemouth Power Station policies

were revised in 2008.

Certification ofEnvironmentalManagementSystemsLynemouth Smelter continues to operate an integratedmanagement system which is subject to external verification

by BSi to confirm we operate a management system which

complies with the requirements of BS EN ISO 9001:2000 BSEN ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007. In July 2007

Lynemouth Smelter achieved certification to PAS 99 (PubliclyAvailable Specification), the worlds first standard for anIntegrated Management System. The idea behind an integratedmanagement system is that of a single holistic system thatenables operations to run more effectively. The Smelter hasoperated with an integrated management system for several

years and PAS 99 gave external verification that theintegrated system conforms to expected standards.

Lynemouth Power Station operates a separate integratedmanagement system, verified by EAQA, with certificationto BS EN ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS18001:2007.

Internal and external audits of these programmes are carriedout to ensure Rio Tinto Alcan Lynemouth is honouring itscommitment to continual improvement.

The management system applies to all levels of employee andcommits everyone to continuous improvement in all aspectsof the business. Environmental protection is everyonesresponsibility at Lynemouth Smelter and Power Stationand forms an essential part of day to day operations andfuture plans.


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Environm

entalManagem

entSystems

Our environmental aspects remain essentially the same asthose described in the previous full EMAS statements (1996,1999, 2002 & 2005), as there have been no major changes inoperations. The significant aspects under normal operatingconditions at the power station are as follows:

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is emitted from the three power

station unit stacks following combustion of coal in the

boilers. CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere are

increasing and it is the principle greenhouse gas

implicated in rising global temperatures. At Lynemouth,

CO2 is reduced by displacing coal with biomass which isconsidered to be 'carbon neutral'.

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is released from the three unit

stacks following combustion of fuel-bound sulphur. SO2can have an impact on local air quality and can impact

on ecosystems at longer distances following acid

deposition (e.g. acid rain) . SO2 is reduced through the

burning of low sulphur coal.

Oxides of nitrogen (NOx), which includes nitrogen oxide

(NO) and dioxide (NO2), are also released following

combustion of fossil fuels and can impact on human

health and ecosystems.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas which is released

following the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. At

high concentrations it can affect human health and in the

atmosphere it is converted to CO2.

Particulates, also known as dust, are released during the

combustion process. The particulates released following

coal combustion are largely a form of ash known as fly

ash. The smaller particles, known as the respirable

fraction, can affect human health if inhaled.

Managing coal (and biomass) results in a number of

associated impacts, like emissions of particulates and

carbon dioxide (CO2) from the mining, transporting,

handling and storing operations.

The significant aspects under normal operating conditions at

the smelter are as follows:

Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) is a gas which is formed during

the smelting process. It can bio-accumulate in plants and

animals and as a result the amount that can be released

from the smelter is strictly controlled and a comprehensive

monitoring program is in place around the smelter.

Polyflurocarbons (PFCs) are generated during anode

affects and are classified as greenhouse gases, thought to

contribute to climate change.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is produced from the combustion of

gas in the furnaces at the carbon and casting plants.

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, thought to contributeto climate change.

Spent pot lining is the main waste stream produced from

the smelting process. It is classified as a hazardous waste.

In 2008 it was landfilled at sites that could accept this type

of waste. A great deal of work is being carried out to

explore ways to recycle spent pot linings.

Environmental Aspects,Licences and Legislative

Requirements


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Environm

entalManagem

entSystems

Energy usage is a major element of smelting aluminiumand types of energy used at the smelter include electricity,natural gas and diesel.

Raw material usage is a necessary part of making primaryaluminium. Use of raw materials results in depletion ofthese materials and the associated pollution from miningand transportation.

The environmental performance of contractors reflects onRio Tinto Alcan. Guidelines are in place to ensurecontractors adhere to Rio Tintos environmental policy.

Minor revisions to our aspects registers for both smelting andpower operations have been necessary to accommodate minorprocess changes and improvements described in these reports.Environmental aspects were reviewed and rescored for theSmelter in 2008.

Our performance relative to the key aspects is described in thefollowing pages for both of our operations. The criteria fordetermination of significance of an environmental impact isavailable on request from the contact shown at the back of this

statement.

Lynemouth Smelter

& Power StationA new Environmental permit was issued by the EnvironmentAgency on the 9th November 2007 covering the combinedoperations at Lynemouth smelter and power station. ThePermit covers plant operating conditions, emission limits for

substances to air, land and water as well as all reportingrequirements. The new permit brought about tougheremission limits for both the smelter and power station along

with thirteen improvement conditions of which 9 due in 2008were responded to within the deadline or new deadlinesagreed with the Environment Agency. An application for a

variation to the Environmental Permit was submitted inSeptember 2008 requesting 12 changes. These changes wereclassed as a standard variation using the Environment

Agency classification procedures. Changes are expected to bein place by early 2009.

LegislativeRequirementsDetails of our Environmental Permits can be found onthe public register at the Environment Agency officesin Newcastle. Annual reports of our emissions canalso be found at the Environment Agency web site,

www.environment-agency.gov.uk.

During 2008 the Environment Agency was notified 11 timesof instances of potential non-compliance with permitconditions. The Agency subsequently classified five ofthese in their compliance classification scheme (CCS) aseither An approach to the limit or as a category 4non-compliance which has no potential environmentaleffect.

Based on our internal audits to evaluate compliance, wehave remained compliant with all remaining environmentallegislative requirements during 2008.


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Demonstration of ContinualEnvironmental Improvement

Lynemouth PowerStationSummary of Lynemouth Power Station performance against

Environmental Objectives and Targets 2008

Lynemou

thPowerStatio

n Respond to the new IPPC improvement condition

requirements on emissions monitoring, management offugitive emissions, & options for increased use of biomass.

Result: Responses to all improvement condition deadlines

were submitted to the Environment Agency by the specifieddeadlines or new deadlines agreed with the Environment

Agency. Actions arising from these responses will be

implemented and tracked throughout 2009.

Implement the Site Protection & Monitoring Plan (SPMP)

Result: The SPMP was submitted and agreed with theEnvironment Agency. Inspections and checking of the

hazardous material storage tanks and bunds are

documented.

Reduce SO2 & NOx emissions in accordance with newpermit limits.

Result: SO2 emissions were below the 2008 limit howeverNOx exceeded the limit by 61 tonnes. This was duelargely to increased power generation during 2008.

A permit variation was submitted to increase the annualmass NOx limit.

Develop further options for reductions of CO2 & SO2

Result: Plans were developed to increase biomass burn to30,000, 90,000 and 300,000 tonnes using either co-firing,direct injection or stand alone biomass plant in order to

significantly decrease CO2 emissions. The feasibility ofthese projects is under review. The management of SO2using low sulphur coal proved we can achieve low emissions

(see graph in power station operational performancesection) while maintaining control over dust with the SO3injection system.

Investigate feasibility of measurement of fine particulate atthe ash lagoons.

Result: An OSIRIS PM10/2.5 monitor was purchased

during 2008 and a preliminary measurement campaign

14

initiated. Further work is required during 2009 to evaluate

data in a range of operating and meteorological conditions.

Devise a calibration system to determine the accuracy of

the coal belt weighers.

Result: The coal belt plough and chute were successfully

installed to enable calibration of the belt weighers andin accordance with EUETS requirements.

Environmental Objectives andTargets for 2009

Reduce SO2 and NOx emissions in accordance with newpermit limits.

- 22,000 tonnes SO2- 8,000 tonnes NOx

Respond to new IPPC improvement condition requirementson an SO2 reduction plan, methodology for measuring

particulate, results of a water efficiency audit and results ofa waste minimisation audit.

Implement all Rio Tinto environmental standards.

Reduce general waste generation to below 250 tonnes and

explore options for the better management of oilycontaminated wastes like oily rags.

Achieve lower CO2 emissions than the EUETS carbonpermit limit.

Maximise the quantities of biomass burned to 2.5% thermalco-firing.

Use less than 300,000m3 of freshwater.


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Releases to Air

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)Unprecedented biomass use and improvements in combustion

efficiency has resulted in lowest ever CO2 emissions in kg/kwhfor the power station during 2008. However CO2waspurchased in 2008 to ensure compliance with EUETS

allocation.

Oxides of nitrogen (NOx)

NOx remains relatively static, with a slightly improvedperformance on 2007 figures. Further improvements

remain under review.

Particulates

Particulate emissions increased slightly from 2007 in 2008,

however emissions remain less than 2006 figures. Very smallfluctuations in data are to be expected and could be due to theuse of low sulphur coal.

Sulphur dioxide (SO2)

Record low mass emissions of SO2were achieved in 2008through proactive air quality management and continued use

of low sulphur coal. Successful management of SO2 emissionsremain a key strategy for the power station in order to meetlocal air quality standards.

Waste

Ash Lagoons

Opportunities for the reuse of ash as a building and sub-fillmaterial decreased in 2008 after key projects for reuse tailed

off at the end of 2007. Projects for the reuse of ash will beproactively sought in 2009 as reuse of ash is identified as a keylandfill saving opportunity.

Lynemouth Power StationOperational Performance

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

kg/KWh

0.85

0.84

0.83

0.82

0.81

0.8

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

3

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5

0

g/KWh

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

0.3

0.2

0.1

0

g/KWh

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

g/KWh

10

8

6

4

2

0

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Tonnes

Landfill Sales

250000

200000

150000

100000

50000

0

15

Lynemou

thPowerStatio

n

Carbon dioxide 2004 - 2008

Oxides of Nitrogen 2004 - 2008

Particulates 2004 - 2008

Sulphure dioxide 2004 - 2008

Ash utilisation 2004 - 2008


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Lynemou

thSmelter

Aim to achieve fluoride emission targets of:

- Potline 1 < 0.67 kg/tonne- Potline 2 < 1.13 kg/tonne- < 0.9 kg/tonne site average

Result: The site fluoride emission target of 0.9 kg/tonnewas achieved. Excellent performance on potline 2 resulted

in the lowest ever emission of 1.1 kg/tonne.

Spent potlining

- Continue to develop alternative recovery or treatmentroutes.

Result: The work with a third party to recover andrecycle spent potlining (SPL) progressed well during 2008.

The third party obtained a permit variation from theEnvironment Agency to enable them to process and recoverSPL. A contract to commence the recovery process was

agreed and signed by Rio Tinto Alcan. Initial tr ials haveproved successful.

Respond to the new IPPC permit improvement conditionrequirements on continuous emissions monitoring,management of fugitive emissions and fluoride reduction

options.

Result: Responses to all improvement condition deadlines

were submitted to the Environment Agency by the specifieddeadlines or new deadlines agreed with the Environment

Agency. Actions arising from these responses will be

implemented and tracked throughout 2009.

Implement the Site Protection and Monitoring Plan

(SPMP).

Result: The SPMP was submitted and agreed with the

Environment Agency. Inspections and checking of thehazardous material storage tanks and bunds aredocumented in the site Maximo system. This system will

track the status of tasks and send reminders when agreedtasks need to be carried out.

Complete the installation of equipment to address theoil contaminated ground at the 402 area (potlinerectiformers).

Result: An above ground oil separator was installed to

treat the surface water collected in the drainage systembelow the rectiformers. The water now collects in a sump

Lynemouth SmelterSummary of Lynemouth Smelter Performance againstEnvironmental Objectives and Targets 2008

Demonstration of ContinualEnvironmental Improvement

and is pumped through the separator to remove residual

traces of oil, prior to discharge into the site drainage system.

Reduce GHG emissions and target 15.5 tonnes CO2/tonne

aluminium based on EU ETS/CCA overlap calculation.

Result: The internal target of 15.5 tonnes CO2 / tonne

aluminium was narrowly missed because of production cutbacks and process disruption at the end of 2008. The resultwas 15.63 tonnes CO2 / tonne aluminium.

Waste- Focus reduction on process waste and aim to achieve

< 5kg/tonne

Result: The target was successfully achieved through hardwork and persistence, with a performance of 4.88kg/tonne.

Water- Target to reduce water usage to below 1.65 m3/tonne

cast metal

Result: The target was achieved with a performance of1.63m3/tonne, following the introduction of a water

efficiency plan which identified reduction opportunitiesacross the site, such as the elimination of a once throughcooling system.

Environmental Objectives andTargets for 2009

Implement all Rio Tinto environmental standards.

Aim to further reduce fluoride emissions with a target of< 0.88 kg/tonne as a site average.

Minimise waste to landfill by focussing on reducing generalwaste and aim to achieve


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Lynemouth SmelterOperational Performance

17

Lynemou

thSmelter

Releases to Air

Hydrogen fluoride (HF)Potline 2 achieved its lowest ever recorded emissions at anaverage of 1.1kg/tonne aluminium, with the emission belowthe target of 1.13 kg/tonne. Potline 1 emissions werefractionally above internal target (internal targets are muchtighter than the PPC permit limits) at 0.71 kg/tonne against atarget of 0.67 kg/tonne. Overall fluoride emissions remainlow and on par with 2007 which saw the site at its lowestlevels.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)PAH are the volatile components driven off during theforming and baking of carbon anodes. The overall trend of areduction in emissions is a direct result of improvement work

carried out in the carbon plant including a complete rebuild ofboth carbon bake furnaces.

Polyflurocarbons (PFC)PFCs are produced at low levels during a part of the reductionprocess called the anode effect. Anode effects are measured interms of frequency (number per pot) and duration (seconds).The graph shows the function of the two parameters. Thesmall increase in 2008 is due to process disruptions and thestopping of several pots at the end of 2008.

Energy EfficiencyEnergy efficiency remains relatively good, however instabilitiesin the process and the stopping of 126 pots at the end of 2008has ensured that energy efficiency levels in 2007 could not bereplicated in 2008.

WasteThe waste target of 5kg/tonne was bettered for the first timein 2008 with a final waste generation figure of 4.88kg/tonne.

We are looking at further ways to reduce waste and lookingfor more opportunities to reuse and recycle the waste we doproduce.

Water

Water use for 2008 decreased further through managing andidentifying improvement areas for water savings.

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

kg/tonne

Potl ine 1 Potline 2

1.8

1.6

1,4

1.2

1

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Tonnes

2

1.5

1

0.5

0

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0

DCkWh/kghotmetal

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

14.95

14.9

14.85

14.8

14.75

14.7

14.65

14.6

14.55

14.5

14.45

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Kg/tonne

8

6

4

2

0

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

m/tonneAl

2.2

2

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.2

1

3

Potline Total Fluoride 2004 - 2008

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons 2004 - 2008

Lynemouth Smelter Anode Effecte (AEF x AED)

Smelter Electrical Efficiency

Lynemouth Smelter Waste to Landfill(excluding SPL) 2004 - 2008

Water consumption at Lynemouth Smelter

2004 - 2008


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Independent

Verification

Verifiers declaration

This statement has been validated by Thomas Moss on behalf

of BSI. BSI is accredited for EMAS verification with the

registration reference UK-V-0002.

The validation was completed on 21/05/09

Lead Verifier

Verification Organisation

BSi

389 Chiswick High Road

London

W4 4AL

Next statement

The next statement, covering the period 2009 will be

submitted for verification by 31 March 2010.

Further Information

To obtain further information regarding the content of this

report or to request copies of previous Environmental

Statements, please write to:

Ms K Laing

Environmental Engineer

Alcan Aluminium UK LimitedLynemouth Smelter

Ashington

Northumberland

NE63 9YH

Tel: 01670 393805

Fax: 01670 393964

Alcan Aluminium UK Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of

Rio Tinto

ComplaintsThere were 10 environmental complaints made during2008. Of those three complaints were classified as

justifiable related to alumina/dust and noise. All incidentswere investigated and discussed with the complainant andwhere necessary remedial action taken.

Glossary oftermsAED - Anode Effect Duration.

AEF - Anode Effect Frequency.

Carbon neutral The CO2 generated when burning

biomass is not considered to contribute to global warmingas plants absorb CO2 during growth.

CCA Climate Change Agreement.

CO2 Carbon dioxide. A gas which has been linked to the

green house effect and global warming.

CO2e Carbon dioxide equivalents. Gases released which

potentially have an effect on global warming are expressedas the effect of an equivalent quantity of CO2.

DEFRA Department for Environment, Food and RuralAffairs.

ESP Electrostatic precipitators. Metal plates with anelectromagnetic charge to attract and trap dust particles.

EU ETS European Union Emissions Trading Scheme.

IPPC Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control.

PAH Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. A group ofchemical compounds produced by the incompletecombustion of organic matter.

Particulate Fine solids suspended in air, commonlyreferred to as dust.

PFA Pulverised fuel ash.

PFC Polyfluorocarbon. A group of gases producedduring anode effects with a high CO2e.

Potline Lines of cells or pots used to produce aluminiumby the process of electrolysis.

RAMSAR An international agreement signed in Ramsar,Iran in 1971 which provides for the conservation and gooduse of wetlands.

SO2 Sulphur dioxide. A gas released when sulphur in

fuel is oxidised.

SO3 Sulphur trioxide. A manufactured gas which can be

used as an additive to increase the electrostatic attractionof dust particles.

SPL Spent pot-liner; the cell cathode.

18


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Rio Tinto Alcan Aluminium UK

Lynemouth SmelterAshington

Northumberland

NE63 9YH

6

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