Noranda praised for 'leap of faith' in Jamaica

Kaiser Retirees' Association has congratulated Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners for taking a "leap of faith" in Jamaica when it acquired the country's largest bauxite operation in September 2009.

The retirees pointed out that at the time Jamaica's bauxite industry was in severe decline due to the recession, with the company's operating area communities in St Ann facing an economic downturn.

Addressing the annual general meeting of the association held at Noranda Jamaica in Discovery Bay on October 15, president of the retirees group Lindy Forbes noted that the company has returned the plant to full production capacity while maintaining its contribution to Jamaica's social and economic development.

He said that Noranda's presence in the community has generated income, employment and business development outside of its operations, and that the company has continued to conduct a wide range of education, agriculture, sports, and community development projects.

Forbes thanked the company for its active support of the association, including the offer of a greenhouse, the income from which will be used to support the association's outreach programmes.

He also thanked the company for its periodic updates on the status of the bauxite industry and for assistance with social functions and reunions which form an important part of the association's calendar of events.

The annual general meeting returned the executive with Forbes as president, Joyce Dawson vice-president, Keith Rowe secretary, Laurel 'Willy' Wilson assistant secretary, Lloyd Russell treasurer, and Oswald Reid, chaplain.

Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation is a North American integrated producer of aluminum products. Since 2009, Noranda (49 per cent) has been in sole partnership with the Government of Jamaica (51 per cent) in NJBP. The facility is currently operating at an annual rate of 5 million dry metric tones and provides 460 direct income jobs and some 300 indirect employment jobs.

The company says it pumps US$60 million into the Jamaican economy on an annually.

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