- Contributed
Louis Simpson, a welder, at ALPART Bauxite Plant.
ALUMINA PARTNERS of Jamaica (ALPART) recorded its highest ever production in a single month with a total of 134,000 metric tonnes of bauxite for the month of October.
At an average daily production of 4,323 tonnes per day, the total surpasses the previous record of 4,310 tonnes daily average produced in October 1999.
ESCALATING PRODUCTION
The October results represent an upward turn in production performance at the alumina plant this year from a daily average of 4,107 tonnes January to September as the plant, affected by equipment and process problems, fell below projected targets for the first three quarters of 2003.
ALPART's total production to date for this year is 1,255,300 tonnes, with the October achievement spurring on the plant to a potential best ever annual production potential of over 1,510,000 tonnes for 2003
The previous highest annual total production was 1,508,500 tonnes achieved in 1999.
General Manager Darrel Harriman has congratulated employees for "an outstanding performance in October", describing the accomplishment as "a stepping stone towards a solid fourth quarter performance with positive impact on ALPART's global competitiveness and Jamaica's economy."
Mr. Harriman listed hard work from a dedicated employee team, and a focus on corrective action, as among the reasons for the ALPART improvement.
He also pointed to improvements in the Precipitation and slurry mix areas of the plant, and to the equipment and installation upgrade generated by the capital investment of US$21 million funded by the partners (Kaiser Aluminum and Hydro Alumi-num) last September. Vice-president of Kaiser Aluminum's Operations in Jamaica, Gene Miller, has described the investment as "part of a package designed to add approximately 200,000 tonnes per year to ALPART's capacity, upgrading the plant from 1.4 million (2002) to above 1.65 million metric tones by year 2004."
CAPITAL INCREASE
Capital improvements completed this year include the installation in September of a dual-bauxite feed system that now gives ALPART the capability to process available bauxite grades in Jamaica, and the cooling unit at the Precipitation area which has increased plant productivity.
Mr. Harriman said that the production record also comes against a background of a zero-injury safety performance for October by ALPART employees, as well as a welcome introduction of 27 new apprentices into ALPART's industrial training programme on October 27.
The 27 apprentices brings the total number of trainees at ALPART to 91.
CONTRIBUTION TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The trainees are enrolled in a four-to-five-year skills instruction programme in mechanical and instrument/electrical trades that will earn them HEART NCTVET certification, with opportunities for employment at ALPART or in other industry. The company has so far hired 27 of the 30 trainees who have graduated from the course ALPART's alumina production represents approximately 40 per cent of Jamaica's total alumina exports.
The company is one of the largest foreign exchange earners for the Government of Jamaica, and pumps some US$100 million annually into the country through wages, goods and services purchased locally, taxes, royalties and levies.
ALPART is a part of the Kaiser Aluminum Jamaica group which includes Kaiser Jamaica Bauxite Company, Jamaica's sole crude bauxite exporter, and the ALPART Mining Venture in South Manchester which mines bauxite for Jamalco and ALPART.
