Jiuquan Iron & Steel Group (Jisco) plans to temporarily close its Alumina Partners of Jamaica (Alpart) refinery for over a year in the next two to three months, sources told Fastmarkets on Friday August 30.
Sources close to the matter said the refinery, which is located in Nain in St Elizabeth, Jamaica, needs to shut to modernize its facilities. "It previously reopened early on high alumina prices but the plant now needs to close to upgrade its facilities," a source said. "There are some disputes about the closure with the local government [regarding job losses and effect on the local economy] which is why it is taking a little longer to shut down and it may not be for another two to three months," the source added. Local news outlet The Jamaica Observer said the closure is likely to last between 18 and 25 months. The news outlet added that improvements slated for the facility include a $500 million...