KINGSTON, Jamaica — Transport and Mining Minister, Mike Henry, announced this morning that Jiquan Iron and Steel Company (JISCO) the new owners of the ALPART refinery in Nain, St Elizabeth will be using LNG as the source of energy to drive the development of a 230 megawatt power plant, the new two million tonne alumina refinery, and the expansion of Port Kaiser.

Henry said that JISCO Chairman Chen Chunming, who was in the island last week, has given him the undertaking in writing following the Government’s position that Jamaica’s development must be in tandem with best practices to protect the environment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimise the effect of climate change.

According to Henry, “this is welcome news and speaks volumes for JISCOs sensitivity to environmental issues and its commitment to respect the Government and people of Jamaica, as Jamaica and China work together to further cement a long and lasting relationship”.

The mining minister, said he is even more confident, that given this new dimension, Jamaica is now poised on the brink of unlocking a further US $3 billion in investment over the next three years in St Elizabeth alone.