MINING Minister Mike Henry yesterday announced that more than 24,000 direct and indirect jobs are expected to be generated from investments in the bauxite and minerals sectors over the next three years.

Arguing that Jamaica’s bauxite and alumina industry is on a growth path, driven by the reopening of the Alpart plant in Nain, St Elizabeth, by Chinese company Jiuquan Iron and Steel Company (JISCO) Limited, Henry said that the investments will help transform the economy of the south-central section of the island and contribute to overall economic growth.

Henry, who was speaking at a news conference at his ministry in Kingston, said that JISCO plans to invest US$3 billion over a threeyear period by building a new 230 megawatt Liquefied Natural Gas power plant, upping its production from 1.65 million tonnes per annum to two million tonnes and building a new two-million-tonne alumina plant.

In addition, Henry said that one new alumina plant is to be built, along with an aluminium foil/stainless steel plant, aluminium sheet plant, and a new welding rod plant.

“The forthcoming investments in the wider minerals sector, including metallic mineral exploration and the industrial minerals industry will generate some 2,300 new direct and full-time jobs after the construction phase.

Additionally, over 22,000 new indirect jobs are to be created by the sector over the next three years.

I am excited to see these come to fruition,” he said. According to Henry, JISCO also plans to expand and redevelop Port Kaiser — which it uses to export bauxite/alumina — to facilitate the docking of mega ships.

The company, he said, is to build housing and support infrastructure for workers and investors. Henry said, too, that the company is seeking to make two shipments of 35,000.