Energy and Mining Minister James Robertson recently observed a state-of-the-art alumina refinery at Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) in Australia, one of the world’s largest alumina refineries on a private visit to that country.

His visit comes as the local bauxite and alumina sector repositions for growth amidst increasing demand for the commodity overseas. Robertson met with the general manager of Rusal Australia, Geoff Blatch, and chairman John Hannagan. QAL produces alumina on behalf of a consortium of two aluminium companies, Rio Tinto Alcan ( 80 per cent) and Rusal (20 per cent).

Rusal owns 93 per cent shares of the Windalco Refinery, which re-opened its Ewarton operations in Jamaica in July this year. Queensland Alumina produces some 3.95 million tonnes of the world’s best smelter grade alumina annually.

Robertson observed the alumina smelting process at Queensland which is driven by a process of continuous efficiency improvement known as the “Bayer Process” involving the digestion, clarification, precipitation and calcination of the bauxite ore to develop alumina.

The minister noted that frequent reviews of the management of the company’s energy use was a critical factor in QALs success and that a similar approach was required for Jamaica’s industry to rebound.

“The main sources of energy used at Queensland are coal and natural gas which are regarded as the optimal sources in terms of cost efficiency and which are subjected to daily reviews to find the maximum efficient mix having settled on those sources,” Robertson said, adding that as Jamaica’s industry positioned to increase its production it would need to be guided by the best practices internationally.

According to its website, Queensland Alumina is that region’s largest employer and annually contributes approximately US $400 million directly to the local economy.