US imports of bauxite declined to 644,000 tonnes in Q1 2026, down 15.8 per cent from 765,000 tonnes in Q3 2024. The decline reflects longer-term pressure on the US primary aluminium and alumina industries, including reduced refining capacity and weaker demand for imported raw materials. Trade...
Jamaica’s bauxite and alumina export earnings are expected to improve in 2026, even though the first quarter was weak. The government expects production to rise as repairs continue after Hurricane Melissa, and the aluminium industry is watching closely because bauxite is the raw material used to...
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According to a study conducted in Barbados, the failing financial conditions are affecting the waste recycling efforts of University of West Indies (UWI) as well as Barbados in general. The study was conducted between April 30 and December 30, 2013 with a conclusion that read “the major waste...
Jamaican government and Noranda Bauxite Limited are at loggerheads as issues arise regarding payment of bauxite levy imposed by the government. The issue was revealed by Finance Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips on Wednesday, at the close of the budget debate in the House of Representatives. During the...
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller announced a short while ago that the Russian company UC RUSAL yesterday commenced the mining and processing of bauxite at the Alpart refinery at Nain in St Elizabeth. So far, the company has employed some 40 people and it has given its commitment to employ...
In Jamaica’s Budget for the financial year 2015-16, the government will repeal the discount given on the bauxite levy and companies will now have to pay full amount. Dr. Phillips told the House that there has been a positive wave in the international market that has also boosted the price of...
The owners of two historic plantations asked the St. James Parish Council Wednesday to pay for tests that would determine whether the Noranda Alumina plant near Gramercy is causing mercury soil contamination. Norman Marmillion, owner of Laura Plantation in St. James Parish, and John Cummings, owner...
United States-based Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation expects to save more than US$5 million ($550 m) annually in shipping costs with its newly deepened and expanded port in St Ann, Jamaica. The port, completed this month, allows bauxite ships to depart with 10 per cent heavier loads without...
The life of the late Dr the Hon Keith Panton can best be described as an enduring journey into the development and expansion of the bauxite and alumina industry in Jamaica. Having earned his tertiary education abroad, he chose to return to his native land and spent most of his productive years in...
The sustainable extraction of Jamaica’s mineral resources that will help the community still seems to be a crucial policy objective of the Government as is often expressed by the Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Phillip Paulwell, despite the recent suspension of the red mud...
While everybody is happy about the reopening of the Alpart refinery in 2016, parliamentarians Michael Peart and Richard Parchment say that this should not be seen as just an employment opportunity but a vehicle for overall development, especially in the most affected regions of South Manchester and...
The recent announcement by the Jamaican mining minister, Phillip Paulwell that the Alpart refinery will be reopened after five years of closure, has brought cheer to the community. According to the plan, the refinery is due to open on December 1, 2016 while the mining work will begin in January...
The Mining and Energy Minister, Phillip Paulwell announced on Monday that the Alpart refinery at Nain, St. Elizabeth is scheduled to be re-opened on December 1, 2016 after being closed for the last five years. The Minister said that the Cabinet has approved the submission that will allow Rusal to...
UC RUSAL, a leading global aluminium producer, announces that it has completed its transaction to obtain the remaining 7% of the property rights of West Indies Alumina Company (WINDALCO). As a result, RUSAL now owns 100% of the complex. The relevant agreement was reached and signed between RUSAL...
Alcoa today announced that it has completed two previously-announced sales within its Global Primary Products portfolio. The divestitures, one in the United States and the second in Jamaica, are aligned with Alcoa’s strategy to lower its cost base and create a globally competitive business. Alcoa...
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...
A West Indies Alumina Company (Windalco) train has derailed in the vicinity of Capture land and Tawes Meadows in St Catherine a short while ago. Information is sketchy at this point but OBSERVER ONLINE can report that no one was injured. The train is reported to have been heading to May Pen,...
Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC), which is a joint venture between Alcoa and Alumina Limited, has been handing out dividends from its passive share. However, now with the sale of its share in the uneconomical Jamaica refinery, Alumina is slated to receive a handy cheque from Alcoa. The sale...
Alcoa and Noble Group Ltd today announced the signing of a definitive agreement that will result in Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC) selling 100 percent of its ownership stake in the Jamalco bauxite mining and alumina refining joint venture to Noble for $140 million. AWAC will continue as...
Alcoa has signed a letter of intent in the second quarter in a bid to sell its ownership stake in Alcoa Minerals of Jamaica L.L.C. the operational company for Jamalco bauxite mine and alumina refinery. The company has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Suriname so that...
