Jamaica's Alpart alumina refinery set for phased modernisation under JISCO plan

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Jamaica's Minister of Agriculture, Floyd Green, has announced that the reopening and modernisation of the Alpart alumina refinery has moved a step forward following meetings with officials of JISCO and the Government of Gansu Province during his recent visit to China.

Speaking in Parliament, Green said JISCO has confirmed its plans to carry out a two-phase modernisation programme to bring the refinery back into operation and upgrade it into a modern alumina production facility.

The first phase of the project will involve an investment of about USD 490 million. Planned work includes upgrading major processing units, improving plant infrastructure, modernising the power generation system, introducing dry-stacking technology for bauxite residue management, and rehabilitating rail and port facilities connected to the refinery.

Green said the project now has a defined modernisation plan after several years of uncertainty. "After years of uncertainty, there is now renewed commitment, a defined modernisation programme and a clearer pathway towards returning this important facility to productive operation," he told Parliament.

The minister said reopening Alpart was one of the main objectives of his visit because of the refinery's importance to Jamaica's bauxite and alumina industry and to communities in St Elizabeth and Manchester.

During the visit, Green toured JISCO's alumina refinery and steel production facilities in China and met with the company's Board of Directors, including its chairman. He also held discussions with the Governor of Gansu Province, where JISCO is based as a state-owned enterprise. According to Green, the Governor assured him that efforts would be made to support the refinery's reopening and encouraged JISCO to move ahead with the project.

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JISCO acquired the Alpart refinery in 2017 and restarted operations after several years of closure. The company invested about USD 360 million at that time and created employment for around 1,000 Jamaicans, including direct employees and contractors. Operations were suspended again in 2019, with the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in the global alumina market affecting the project.

Over the past five years, JISCO has carried out detailed feasibility studies covering the condition of the refinery, investment requirements, available technologies and current alumina production practices.

Under the redevelopment plan, the refinery is expected to return to an annual production capacity of 2 million tonnes of alumina per annum. The first phase will restore capacity to 1 million tonnes per year, while the second phase will add another 1 million tonnes.

JISCO has said it will work to complete the required approvals so that construction can begin before the end of this year to officially launch the project before June 2027.

Green said the Jamaican Government remains committed to bringing the refinery back into operation, adding that discussions with Chinese authorities have helped establish a clearer path towards restarting one of the country's major alumina assets.