KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – The Alpart bauxite/alumina plant in Nain, St Elizabeth, is expected to resume refining operations in the 2016/17 financial year.

This was disclosed by Minister of Transport and Mining Michael Henry during his contribution to the 2016/17 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 8.

Following the refinery’s closure in 2009, the plant was reopened on a reduced production schedule in 2010. In October 2012, UC RUSAL, a Russian aluminium company, entered into several agreements with the Government for various steps to be taken to ensure its long-term viability.

“We are working through the issues with UC RUSAL to see the way forward for the Alpart plant,” the minister said.

UC RUSAL has been in negotiations with Jiuquan Iron and Steel Company (JISCO), the largest iron and steel company in China, to buy its Alpart refinery.

On April 21, 2016, a delegation comprising representatives from JISCO, UC RUSAL and China Development Bank met with Minister Henry and other functionaries from the ministry to discuss the issues relating to the acquisition of Alpart by JISCO.