Paranam
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Paranam
| nickname =
| image_skyline = File:Paranam_2.JPG
| imagesize =
| image_caption = Suralco bauxite factory at Paranam
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of = -
| pushpin_map = Suriname
| pushpin_mapsize =
| map_caption = Location within Suriname
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Suriname}}
| subdivision_type1 = District
| subdivision_name1 = Para District
| subdivision_type2 = Resort
| subdivision_name2 = Oost
| coordinates = {{coord|5|36|26|N|55|5|24|W|region:SR|display=inline,title}}
| timezone = ART
| utc_offset = -3
| elevation_m =
| elevation_ft =
}}
Paranam is a town in the Para District, Suriname. Paranam was created in 1938 for a bauxite factory. In 1965, an aluminium smelter was added. The factories closed down in 2017.
History
There used to be a little hamlet called Klein Curaçao at the location. Paranam was created in 1938 when Alcoa began building a plant to support new mining areas along the Suriname River.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=paranam&coll=ddd&page=1&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=1%7C20e_eeuw%7C1930-1939%7C&identifier=ddd:110636697:mpeg21:a0033&resultsidentifier=ddd:110636697:mpeg21:a0033&rowid=3 |title=Paranam|website=De West |date=8 March 1939|access-date=10 January 2022|language=nl}} Built on a former plantation, the facility was called Paranam after the Para and Suriname Rivers which border the mining concession areas. The Paranam mine began operations in 1941.{{cite web|url=https://werkgroepcaraibischeletteren.nl/suriname-in-de-tweede-wereldoorlog/ |title=Suriname in de Tweede Wereldoorlog|website=Werkgroep Caraibische Letteren|access-date=10 January 2022|language=nl}} Alcoa operates worldwide through a joint ventures, and the operation in Suriname is called The Suriname Aluminum Company (or Suralco).{{cite news | title = Alumina Limited:: The AWAC Business | publisher = Alumina Limited| url = http://www.aluminalimited.com/index.php?s=awac_biz&ss=global&p=global_op | access-date = 2007-03-14 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061025041242/http://www.aluminalimited.com/index.php?s=awac_biz&ss=global&p=global_op |archive-date = 2006-10-25}} A market and theatre were built in town, however most workers remained in Paramaribo.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=paranam&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=1%7C20e_eeuw%7C1940-1949%7C&page=1&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010480063:mpeg21:a0032&resultsidentifier=ddd:010480063:mpeg21:a0032&rowid=7 |title=Markt op Paranam|website=Het nieuws : algemeen dagblad |date=9 January 1946|access-date=10 January 2022|language=nl}}
In 1965, an aluminium smelter was opened in Paranam which operated on the electricity generated by the Afobaka Dam.{{cite web|url=https://www.geschiedenislokaal010.nl/bronnen/surinaams-aluminium-op-de-waalhaven-1966/ |title=Surinaams aluminium op de Waalhaven (1966) |website=Geschiedenis Lokaal 010|access-date=10 January 2022|language=nl}} The smelter converts bauxite to produce approximately 3,150 metric tons of alumina each day at this location.{{cite web | url=http://www.alcoa.com/suriname/en/info_page/home.asp | title=Alcoa in Surinam | publisher=Alcoa | access-date=2013-04-21}}{{cite web | url=http://www.alcoa.com/suriname/en/alcoa_suriname/suriname_overview.asp | title=Overview of Alcoa in Suriname | publisher=Alcoa | access-date=2013-04-21}} Paranam became the first location in the world with an integrated system where the earth was transformed into aluminium.{{cite magazine|url=https://dbnl.org/tekst/_vla016199701_01/_vla016199701_01_0003.php?q=paranam#hl3 |page=5-6 |author=André H. Loor |title=Suriname: een historiek|magazine=Vlaanderen|year=1997|access-date=10 January 2022|language=nl}} In 2015, Alcoa announced that it was going to close the factories, because the local supplies were exhausted, and the factories could not handle the bauxite from the Bakhuis Mountains.{{cite news|url=https://www.starnieuws.com/index.php/welcome/index/nieuwsitem/31689 |title=Raffinaderij Paranam ongeschikt voor Bakhuis-bauxiet |website=Star Nieuws|access-date=10 January 2022|language=nl}} The factories closed down in 2017.{{cite news|url=https://werkgroepcaraibischeletteren.nl/suralco-raffinaderij-definitief-dicht/ |title=Suralco-raffinaderij definitief dicht|website=Werkgroep Caraibische Letteren|access-date=10 January 2022|language=nl}}
Harbour
Due to the deep water available on the Suriname River, Paranam is a port accessible to oceangoing ships. A pilot is required.{{cite web | url=http://www.portarrivals.com/ports.asp?sec=Port&item=12415 | title=PORT OF PARANAM, Suriname | publisher=Port Arrivals | access-date=2013-04-22}}
Notable people
- Hélène Ramjiawan (1952–2021), children's book author{{cite web|url=https://werkgroepcaraibischeletteren.nl/kinderboekenschrijfster-helene-ramjiawan-is-niet-meer/ |title=Kinderboekenschrijfster Hélène Ramjiawan is niet meer |website=Werkgroep Caraibische Letteren|access-date=10 January 2022|language=nl}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Commons category|Paranam, Suriname|Paranam}}
{{Surinamese District Para}}
Category:Populated places in Para District
Category:Bauxite mining in Suriname