(Jamaica Gleaner) A high-end technical team is to be flown into Jamaica from Russia next month to hammer out wrinkles at the United Company (UC) RUSAL-operated Ewarton Alumina Works in St Catherine, according to Mining Minister Phillip Paulwell.
“I would like to inform this House that a high-level delegation from Russia is expected to visit Jamaica in August to discuss UC RUSAL’s operation in Jamaica,” Paulwell, who also has responsibility for the energy and ICT portfolios informed the House of Representatives during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate on Tuesday.
Resolving lingering issues
Paulwell, who had made what turned out to be contradictory public remarks recently regarding the future of the refinery at Ewarton Works, served notice that he would enter the talks with an open mind and a firm hand.
“I will be approaching these discussions with a clear mandate to act decisively in brining resolution to all outstanding issues,” he stressed. “Jamaica values all investors who worked with us through this difficult period, but you must understand that the interests of Jamaica is my main concern.”
UC RUSAL is the world’s largest aluminium company and accounts for almost 11 per cent of the world’s primary aluminium output and 13 per cent of the world’s alumina production.
The company operates in 19 countries over five continents and employs more than 75,000 people across its international operations and offices.
Paulwell, earlier this month, announced that UC RUSAL would have been closing down operations at Ewarton, but in a quick response, the management of the company said this was not so.
The minister on Tuesday maintained that the refinery at Ewarton was languishing in a state of uncertainty. “As I have indicated previously to this House, the fate of the Ewarton refinery remains uncertain,” he said.
Uncertain future
At the same time, Paulwell said two of the four refineries in the island remain closed. These are Windalco’s Kirkvine plant and Alpart, both of which cumulatively account for approximately 50 per cent of total output.
He noted that despite an increase of 26.4 per cent in the total value of the bauxite and alumina exported in 2011, compared with 2010, only 42 per cent of this value was retained. “There was a 17 per cent fall-off in revenue inflows to Government due to continuing bauxite levy concessions granted to the companies as well as to much higher costs of production related to oil and caustic soda,” he disclosed.
