Brief English Introduction
The defendant aluminium company stored red mud in a large residue reservoir that created pollution and safety risks. The court refused to endorse a weak settlement that did not solve the environmental problem, then approved a mediated plan only after it contained concrete closure work, timing, funding, inspection, and supervision terms.
Use It For
Use this case when discussing whether corporate environmental responsibility can be privately settled away.
Teaching Notes
Students should test the difference between formal settlement and public-interest repair. In environmental public-interest litigation, the court must ask whether the agreement actually restores or protects the public interest.