VICE-PRESIDENT and general manager for Kaiser's Jamaica Operations, Gene Miller, has congratulated employees of the Alpart Mining Venture on restoring the Alpart bauxite cable belt to service well within the estimated repair time of three weeks.
The belt, used for conveying bauxite from the Manchester Plateau to the Alpart alumina plant in St. Elizabeth, resumed operations on Friday August 2, only two weeks after the July 19 incident of suspected arson which damaged the cable system and affected bauxite supplies to the plant.
In a letter to the employees issued Friday, Mr. Miller expressed his personal appreciation for the skilful and dedicated work of the team and described the accomplishment as "one of the major achievements of Alpart workers in their 30-year history."
In commenting on the incident, Mr. Miller said that he and many others were disappointed that someone could have carried out such an action that threatened the livelihood of employees, and said that he was grateful that no one was injured in the unfortunate episode.
Alumina production at the plant was not disturbed but the damage is expected to cost Alpart at least US$700,000 in repairs.
Alpart is one of the largest foreign exchange earners for the Government of Jamaica, pumps some US$100 million into the economy each year and is a significant contributor to Jamaica's economic and social development.
