JISCO officially takes charge of Alpart with promise of employment to local community

Russian aluminium major UC Rusal completed the sale of Alpart refinery in Jamaica to the Chinese group Jiuquan Iron & Steel (Group) Co. Ltd. (JISCO) on November 22. Alumina Partners of Jamaica (Alpart) was officially handed over to JISCO last Thursday November 24 and the production is set to begin within the next six months. The refinery plant is expected to generate between 800 and 1,000 jobs for the citizens.

The Chinese owners would need six months to rehabilitate and refurbish the aging plant.  They have an expansion plan to boost alumina production to two million tonnes annually from the previous 1.65 million tonnes.


Minister of Transport and Mining Mike Henry confirmed on the occasion that the new owners agreed to the 70:30 ratio of employment between Jamaicans and expatriates and promised majority of jobs to the local citizens.
 
He indicated that once the operations start, it will open up a range of opportunities for citizens in southern Jamaica.
 
"I have seen how they (Alpart) treat their staff and how they develop the whole community. I have seen the importance of how they deal with water to develop the plains of St Elizabeth," he added.

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Henry said that JISCO would be returing mined-out lands to the residents of the parish, in order to rehabilitate the lands for agricultural and other purposes.

Chairman of JISCO Chen Chunming also assured the residents that they would abide by Jamaican business laws and will be upholding the interests of the country. JISCO has plans to develop an industrial zone in the Nain area with facilities for “value-added” products. It will also involve major expansion of Port Kaiser, from whence alumina and bauxite are shipped.

China's Ambassador to Jamaica, Niu Qingbao, also said that JISCO was eager to expand into manufacturing and the farming of mined-out lands. He also hoped this business association would improve the relationship between the two countries.

Former minister of mining and energy and current Opposition spokesman Phillip Paulwell also reiterated that JISCO would explore the possibility of an aluminium smelter. Paulwell, who played a role in negotiations for the sale of Alpart considered the new owners as “visionaries” and indicated that St Elizabeth could be the centre of industrial activity in Jamaica in the future.
The plant closed down in 2009 in the aftermath of the global recession and due to the drop in metal prices.