Gov’t says UC Rusal wants to repoen Kirkvine plant
MANCHESTER, Jamaica – Mining Minister Mike Henry says Russian aluminum giant UC Rusal has indicated a desire to resume operations at the Windalco Kirkvine alumina plant close to Williamsfield, central Manchester, which the company shut down in 2009.
“There are indications of interest from UC Rusal, to re-establish operations at the Windalco Kirkvine plant right here in Manchester,” Henry told a forum hosted by the Manchester Chamber of Commerce last night.This follows news that Chinese metals company JISCO, which bought Alpart, Jamaica’s largest alumina plant – located at Nain, St Elizabeth — from UC Rusal last year, is getting ready to resume alumina refining at that plant on June 20.Henry confirmed yesterday that the Jamaican government has accepted a proposal from JISCO to build a second alumina refinery in addition to Alpart, and that the bauxite reserves needed for the additional plant has been identified.“The Chinese operators of the refinery at Alpart have indicated a desire to establish a second and more efficient refinery. Cabinet has accepted the proposal and the bauxite to feed the plant have been identified,” said Henry, who also has ministerial responsibility for transport.Garfield Myers