Gov't, UC Rusal to ink bauxite deal by month end

The Government is hoping to reach an agreement with Russian company UC Rusal by month end on the timeline for the reopening of the Alpart and Kirkvine bauxite plants.

The downturn in the global aluminium market forced the company to close the plants in 2009.

UC Rusal has cited the high cost of electricity in the country as one of the main challenges to its operations in Jamaica.

The government has been seeking to negotiate a deal with the company for the reopening of the plants and Energy Minister Phillip Pauwell said the talks are at a critical stage.

Paulwell said the discussions are advanced and the government and UC Rusal have signed off on an energy solution for the plants.

He had previously said that finding an alternative to oil was a critical hurdle which needed to be crossed for the talks with UC Rusal to progress.

The energy minister has declined to divulge which alternative energy solution has been agreed to with UC Rusal saying that he plans to make a comprehensive statement soon.

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