Company Towns in a Transnational Commodity Chain: Social and Environmental Dimensions of Aluminium Production in Porto Trombetas, Brasil, e Ardal, Noruega.

Abstract

In this article the impacts of aluminum production on the local
populations at two sites of production are discussed – Porto Trombetas (Brazil)
and Årdal (Norway). The main focus of the comparison is on the living and working
conditions of the local populations, and on the social and ecological impacts
of their incorporation into the transnational commodity chain. The nature of
production, the characteristics of local communities and the socio-political context
in the different countries have contributed to creating interesting similarities and
differences in the development of these entangled company towns.