KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Alpart refinery in St Elizabeth is set to re-open for business by early 2028 on the back of a US$490 million investment by its Chinese owners, JISCO, and a rehabilitation programme which will be officially launched in June 2027.

The money will be used to upgrade and modernise the plant which has been closed since 2019.

The rehabilitation programme set to launch next June represents phase one of a two-phase plan to get the plant up and running, according to Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green.

The minister provided an update on plans to reopen the plant during a ministerial statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

“Phase one will focus on returning the facility to operation using newer, cleaner and more efficient technologies,” said Green.

He told the Parliament that the investment will include the modernisation of major operational systems, upgrading of plant infrastructure, redevelopment of power generation facilities, implementation of dry-stacking technology for residue management and rehabilitation of critical rail and port infrastructure.

The mining minister said JISCO has committed to making every effort to satisfy the necessary preconditions to allow construction activities to commence before the end of this year, with the objective of an official launch before June 2027.

“The global alumina industry has changed and the future of Alpart requires an operation that is more efficient, sustainable and positioned to compete internationally.

“That is why the modernisation plan includes the introduction of advanced technologies and a five-megawatt photovoltaic and energy-storage hybrid system, positioning Alpart as a green, low-carbon demonstration project,” Green said.

He shared that the plan also includes the rehabilitation of the hurricane-damaged Port Kaiser.