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July 12, 2005
Republic of Ghana President visits Jamalco operations
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The President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Kufuor paid a historic visit to Jamalco on Tuesday, July 12, the first ever such visit by a foreign head of state. The tour of Jamalco was part of a wider state visit to Jamaica and was designed to give President Kufuor and his 22 member delegation a first-hand view of Alcoa’s alumina refining operations in Jamaica and its impact on the communities in which it is located. This is in light of a memorandum of understanding signed by Alcoa and Ghana recently for Alcoa to mine and process bauxite in that African country. Chairman and CEO of Alcoa, Alain Belda joined President Kufuor for the tour of the Jamalco operations.
Jamalcoans earning their future
During luncheon presentations, Mr. Belda expressed appreciation to the President for visiting the facility which he described as “special” at 42 years old, noting that Jamalco has experienced “good times and not so good times.” He said Jamalco has moved from a position of being uncompetitive to being one of the best refineries in the Alcoa system.
Mr. Belda said that this is important because it demonstrates that the workforce is involved in ensuring the refinery’s success and they are “earning their future” by making the best use of the technology and resources available.
President, Global Refining, John Sibly also made a presentation focusing on Jamalco’s history and development over the years, including the plant’s successful $115 million expansion completed in 2004 and current plans that would see the alumina refinery’s capacity expanded to 2.8 million tonnes per annum at a cost of $1.24 billion.
He also highlighted plans for Clarendon Express, a community tourism project which, among other things will help create business opportunities for local entrepreneurs as well as employment for community members and create desirable and safe destinations for local and foreign tourists.
Location Manager, Alberto Fabrini, focused his presentation on how Jamalco has improved its efficiency through ABS and its role as a good neighbour and corporate citizen.
President Kufour in impromptu remarks said that his visit to Jamalco marked the end of his “due diligence”, and that he would be inviting Alcoa’s President to Ghana.
The President’s visit to the refinery ended with the inaugural ride on the first refurbished coach of the Clarendon Express from the refinery to the port at Rocky Point. After a brief tour of the port, the President, as well as Jamalco and Alcoa executives, Bernt Reitan, Jerome Maxwell and Randy Phillips planted coconut trees to commemorate the historic visit.
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