Jamaica’s mining minister gives Rusal ultimatum to restart plant

The Mining Minister of Jamaica, Phillip Paulwell has given Rusal UC an ultimatum to restart the mothballed Alpart bauxite/alumina plant in Nain, St Elizabeth by December 31 or else there would be consequences.

Last Wednesday, Paulwell addressing the audience at the Young Entrepreneurs meet telling them about this warning to Rusal saying that if they failed to do so, the mining lease would be revoked and given to someone else who would be able to work on it.

Paulwell says that the aluminium scene is improving around the world generating increased interest in the Jamaica’s bauxite resources. Being the energy, science and technology minister he also knows that oil prices are also falling over the past few months, which has renewed optimism in the sector.

He is looking to boost new industries in the country like IT but the traditional sectors like bauxite and alumina will be revived albeit with a few changes. Paulwell wants to change the taxation norms that have been followed so far which was very lenient with its concessions to the mining companies. He says, "We have been granting concessions over concessions. We are going to have to stop that because we can't afford the Jamaican people to be taxed any more.”

The mining minister also aims to improve the post mining conditions of the bauxite reserves so that they can be used for other activities and are not left as simple gaping holes in the ground. The mining companies need to be more prompt in the rehabilitation of the land or else they will be penalized. He also says that he will cooperate with the companies to develop their own resources energy sources to power the plants.

The closure of the two plants, Alpart and Kirvine in 2009 has left a big impact on the Jamaican economy leaving thousands of people of jobs.