Jiuquan Iron and Steel Company (JISCO) has indicated that it will proceed with a two-phased modernisation programme for the ALPART refinery in Nain, St. Elizabeth.
Mining minister Floyd Green made the disclosure in a statement in parliament today.
Operations at ALPART were suspended in 2019 and this had a significant impact on workers, families and businesses.
Mr. Green said JISCO wrote to him following his recent trip to China where discussions were held with the governor of Gansu province on plans to reopen the facility.
JISCO is a state-owned enterprise under Gansu province.
Mr Green indicated that JISCO’s redevelopment programme is designed to return the refinery to a production capacity of approximately 2 million tonnes of alumina annually, implemented in two phases.
Phase one will target 1 million tonnes per year, while under phase two, another 1 million tonnes will be added.
Opposition spokesperson on mining Mikael Phillips expressed concern that JISCO has missed several dates for ALPART’s reopening.
He is asking what action the government will take if JISCO misses a next timeline.
Responding, Mr. Green said JISCO is appreciative that if it doesn’t act now to reopen ALPART it may not be able to act in the future.
This as other companies are interested in bauxite leases.
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