Long Haul Before Bauxite Industry Revived

LONG HAUL BEFORE BAUXITE INDUSTRY IS

REVIVED...says PM Golding

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has observed that while the price of aluminum is on the rise it is going to be a long haul before the bauxite industry is revived.  

He is of the view that the industry will make a comeback but this will not happen unless cheaper energy is secured. "One of the possibilities that we're looking at is producing wet alumina, which is used in paints and cosmetics and a whole range of products in the hope that these will bring back some activity for the industry", the PM said.  

Mr. Golding noted that bauxite companies such as Alpart, St. Ann's Bauxite and Ewarton will be back in operation but the country has to wait until the industry has achieved a certain level of recovery and some assurance is received of cheaper energy.  The PM was speaking at the Gleaner's Editors forum on Tuesday (August 25).