Reopening of Alpart a priority, says Green

 

Mining Minister Floyd Green says the reopening of JISCO owned Alumina Partners of Jamaica (Alpart) in Nain, St. Elizabeth remains a priority for the government. 

 

The plant was shut down in 2019 to facilitate plans for its expansion and modernisation. 

 

"I'm pleased to announce that we would have had a high level team from the Gansu province and from JISCO who visited with us last week as a part of their feasibility study and plan for the reopening of Alpart. We would have had a very open, frank meeting about the possibilities. Clearly they're going through a process looking at the cost and the feasibility of it. But we did come away from that meeting feeling very hopeful," Mr. Green disclosed at Wednesday morning's post Cabinet press briefing.

 

The minister said two more visits are scheduled for the end of April as well as in June, with the team from JISCO indicating that by the last quarter of 2024 they will submit their plan for reopening. 

 

Alpart is the country's only high temperature alumina refinery.

 

The mining plant is uniquely capable of processing lower grade bauxite found in some areas of the island.