JISCO pledges US$490 million as Alpart reopening moves closer

After years of uncertainty surrounding one of Jamaica's largest alumina refineries, there is renewed optimism that the Alpart plant in St. Elizabeth could soon return to operation following a commitment by Chinese-owned JISCO to invest approximately US$490 million in the first phase of a major modernization program.

The announcement was made Tuesday by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green, who told Parliament that the long-awaited reopening of the refinery advanced significantly following high-level discussions with executives of JISCO Group and senior officials from China's Gansu Province during his recent official visit to the People's Republic of China.

According to Green, JISCO has confirmed its intention to proceed with a two-phase redevelopment program designed to transform Alpart into a modern, globally competitive alumina producer while restoring one of Jamaica's most important industrial operations.

The first phase of the project will include the modernization of key operational systems, upgrades to plant infrastructure, redevelopment of power generation facilities, the introduction of dry-stacking technology for residue management, and the rehabilitation of critical rail and port infrastructure.

The investment represents one of the largest commitments to Jamaica's bauxite and alumina sector in recent years.

"After years of uncertainty, there is now renewed commitment, a defined modernization program, and a clearer pathway toward returning this important facility to productive operation," Green told Parliament.

The minister said securing the reopening of Alpart was a central objective of his visit to China because of the refinery's economic importance to Jamaica and, in particular, the communities of St. Elizabeth and Manchester, where generations of residents have depended on the plant for employment and business opportunities.

"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.

During the visit, Green toured JISCO's alumina refinery and steel-smelting facilities in China before meeting with the company's board of directors, including its chairman. He also held talks with the governor of Gansu Province, which oversees JISCO as a state-owned enterprise and plays a critical role in approving major investment decisions.

According to Green, the provincial governor gave assurances that every effort would be made to facilitate the refinery's reopening and encouraged JISCO to move quickly toward restarting operations.

JISCO acquired Alpart in 2017 and resumed production after the refinery had been idle for several years. The company invested approximately US$360 million during that period and generated employment for roughly 1,000 Jamaicans, including direct employees and contractors.

However, operations were suspended in 2019 amid challenging global market conditions and were further disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving the refinery dormant once again.

Since then, JISCO has spent several years conducting technical and commercial feasibility studies to determine the investments required to modernize the aging facility while incorporating newer technologies and internationally accepted approaches to alumina production.

The redevelopment program is expected to restore Alpart's production capacity to approximately 2 million tonnes of alumina annually. Under the proposed plan, the first phase will deliver production of 1 million tonnes per year, while a second phase will double that output.

JISCO has indicated that it intends to satisfy the necessary regulatory and operational requirements to begin construction before the end of this year, with the official launch of the redevelopment project targeted before June 2027.

While no timeline has yet been announced for the refinery to resume commercial production, the government says the latest commitment represents the clearest indication in years that Alpart is on course for a return.

Green said the administration remains committed to ensuring the refinery once again becomes a major contributor to Jamaica's mining industry and the national economy.

"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," the minister said.

The reopening of Alpart is expected to have far-reaching implications for Jamaica's bauxite and alumina industry, with the project anticipated to create hundreds of construction jobs during the redevelopment phase before supporting long-term employment and increased export earnings once full production resumes.