Norsk Hydro: Hydro takes new initiatives to resolve Alunorte situation

Hydro's CEO Svein Richard Brandtzæg has appointed CFO Eivind Kallevik as interim
head of Bauxite & Alumina with immediate effect, replacing Silvio Porto, in
response to the challenging situation at the Alunorte alumina refinery that is
currently operating at 50 percent capacity. Kallevik will at the same time
remain in his position as CFO.

Brandtzæg will further commission an independent review of Alunorte by an
internationally renowned environmental consultancy, announced measures to assist
local communities in Barcarena, and established a project to review and consider
further strengthening the robustness of the water treatment at Alunorte, to be
led by former head of Bauxite & Alumina Silvio Porto.

"The challenging situation at Alunorte requires a dedicated focus and
organization beyond operational competence and capabilities," says CEO Svein
Richard Brandtzæg. "I am grateful that Kallevik is prepared to take on this
significant responsibility, and that Silvio Porto will lead the important
project launched to further strengthen the environmental robustness of
Alunorte."

Eivind Kallevik held the position as Head of Finance for Bauxite & Alumina in
Brazil for two years before taking up the position as CFO in 2013, as well as
leading the business area in an interim period in 2016.

Following a period of extraordinary rainfall, federal, state and local
authorities in Brazil have ordered a series of measures over concerns that the
rain had led to spills from Alunorte into the nearby Para river and caused
contamination. These measures include reducing production by 50 percent at
Alunorte and halting operations at its bauxite residue disposal DRS2.

The independent review by the internationally renowned environmental consultancy
is expected to announce its conclusions and action plans during the first week
of April. The review comes in addition to an already established expert task
force leading a comprehensive study of Alunorte, reporting directly to the CEO.

Hydro collaborates with local institutions on humanitarian relief to assist
communities in Barcarena within health and water. For neighboring communities
Vila Nova, Burajuba and Bom Futuro, Hydro commits to working with local partners
and investing in proper water supply. Hydro further commits to work with
community, civil society and government to clarify the sources of water
pollution and other water-related issues in the Barcarena region.

Hydro will also to review and consider further strengthening of Alunorte's water
treatment system as a proactive response to possible future climate and weather
changes. This project will be led by Silvio Porto, reporting to Kallevik.

Hydro is South America's biggest aluminium company after acquiring Brazilian
mining company Vale's aluminium assets in the state of Pará in 2011. Alunorte is
the world's largest alumina refinery, employs around 2,000 people and has a
nameplate capacity of an annual 6.3 million tonnes. Hydro owns 92.1 percent of
Alunorte.


Investor contacts
Stian Hasle
+47 97736022
Stian.Hasle@hydro.com

Even Simonsen
+47 97953364
Even.Simonsen@hydro.com

Press contact
Halvor Molland
+47 92979797
Halvor.Molland@hydro.com


Cautionary note
Certain statements included in this announcement contain forward-looking
information, including, without limitation, information relating to (a)
forecasts, projections and estimates, (b) statements of Hydro management
concerning plans, objectives and strategies, such as planned expansions,
investments, divestments, curtailments or other projects, (c) targeted
production volumes and costs, capacities or rates, start-up costs, cost
reductions and profit objectives, (d) various expectations about future
developments in Hydro's markets, particularly prices, supply and demand and
competition, (e) results of operations, (f) margins, (g) growth rates, (h) risk
management, and (i) qualified statements such as "expected", "scheduled",
"targeted", "planned", "proposed", "intended" or similar.



Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are reasonable, these forward-looking statements are based on a
number of assumptions and forecasts that, by their nature, involve risk and
uncertainty. Various factors could cause our actual results to differ materially
from those projected in a forward-looking statement or affect the extent to
which a particular projection is realized. Factors that could cause these
differences include, but are not limited to: our continued ability to reposition
and restructure our upstream and downstream businesses; changes in availability
and cost of energy and raw materials; global supply and demand for aluminium and
aluminium products; world economic growth, including rates of inflation and
industrial production; changes in the relative value of currencies and the value
of commodity contracts; trends in Hydro's key markets and competition; and
legislative, regulatory and political factors.



No assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been
correct.  Hydro disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



This information is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section
5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.