JISCO commits US$490 million first phase investment towards reopening of Alpart - Green

Minister of Agriculture Floyd Green today announced that the reopening and modernisation of the Alpart alumina refinery has moved a major step forward, following high-level discussions with JISCO and officials of Gansu Province during his recent official visit to the People's Republic of China.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Green said JISCO has confirmed its intention to proceed with a two-phased modernisation programme aimed at returning the refinery to full operation and positioning Alpart as a modern, globally competitive alumina producer.

He said phase one of the programme represents an investment of approximately US$490 million and 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.

“After years of uncertainty, there is now renewed commitment, a defined modernisation programme and a clearer pathway towards returning this important facility to productive operation,” Green told Parliament.

Green noted that the reopening of Alpart was a central priority of his mission to China, given the refinery’s importance to Jamaica’s mining sector and communities across St Elizabeth and Manchester.

“Alpart is tied to generations of work, enterprise and opportunity. It has supported families, sustained businesses and contributed to the economic life of entire communities,” he said.

As part of the mission, Green toured JISCO’s alumina refinery and steel smelting facilities in China and held an official meeting with the Board of Directors of the JISCO Group, including the company’s Chairman. 

He also met with the Governor of Gansu Province, which plays a key role in investment decisions, as JISCO is a state-owned enterprise under the province.

According to the Minister, the Governor gave assurances that efforts would be made to facilitate the timely reopening of Alpart and encouraged JISCO to move expeditiously towards restarting operations.

Green explained that JISCO acquired Alpart in 2017 and restarted operations after several years of closure. 

During that period, the company invested approximately US$360 million and created employment for approximately 1,000 Jamaicans, including direct employees and contractors. 

Operations were suspended in 2019 and were further impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in the global alumina industry.

Over the last five years, JISCO has undertaken a comprehensive feasibility process, reviewing the existing plant, required investments, new technologies and international approaches to modern alumina production.

The redevelopment programme is designed to return the refinery to a production capacity of approximately two million tonnes of alumina annually, with Phase One targeting one million tonnes per year and Phase Two adding a further one million tonnes.

The company 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.

Green said the Government remains committed to seeing the facility return to production.

“This Government made a commitment to the people of Jamaica that we would pursue every avenue to see Alpart return to operation. We went to China, we engaged the decision-makers, we secured a clear path forward, and we are closer than ever to seeing Alpart reopen and once again drive growth, jobs and opportunity for our people,” he said.

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