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Government is examining the feasibility of establishing small business incubators to provide integrated and coordinated financial and operational support services to small and micro businesses islandwide. Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Michael Stern, made the announcement at the opening of the sixth Jamaica Business Information Centre (JAMBIC) in Portmore, St. Catherine recently. The incubators,...

St. Ann Jamaica Bauxite Partners (SAJBP) recently awarded scholarships valued at approximately $2 million to 24 students from the parish, who attend tertiary institutions across the island. The award was made under the company's annual scholarship programme. "St. Ann Jamaica Bauxite Partners knows that there are many challenges facing educational development across the parish of St. Ann so as a...

The bauxite and alumina industry is working to get its production back to maximum levels, following the passage of Hurricane Dean on August 19. St. Ann Jamaica Bauxite Partners in Discovery Bay was not affected and is fully operational. They commenced shipping of bauxite from August 21. The Alpart operations in St. Elizabeth, which had only minor impact from the...

A chain link fence has been erected around the Carlton Infant School in Alexandria, St. Ann, by St. Ann Jamaica Bauxite Partners, providing greater protection for the 150 students who attend the institution. General Manager of the company, Dave Howe, during a recent visit to the school said he hoped the new addition would help to create a better environment...

State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Victor Cummings, is urging stakeholders in the mining sector to pay close attention to occupational safety, health and the environment. "While we plan and focus our efforts on increasing production in the sector, we must continue to pay attention to occupational safety and health and the environment.. which command not just...

The new owners of Alpart and Windalco want to build two coal-generated power plants to support both those bauxite/alumina operations and export power into the national energy grid, company representative Igor Dorofeev has announced. In an interview with JIS News, Mr. Dorofeev said the new owners, United Company Rusal (UC Rusal), was exploring the possibility of building two 90-megawatt power...

Minister of Information and Development, Donald Buchanan yesterday (June 5) outlined a number of priority activities, which are being undertaken to address community-related issues associated with bauxite/alumina operations. Mr. Buchanan, who was making his contribution to the 2007/08 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House, informed that the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI) is making the requisite preparations to facilitate the implementation of...

Minister of Information and Development, Donald Buchanan, has said that 2006 was a record year for the bauxite/alumina sector with production growing by 5.3 per cent to 14.865 million tonnes. This is the "highest level of output since 1974 when over 15 million tonnes of bauxite were produced," Mr. Buchanan said during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the...

The Jamaica Bauxite Institute's (JBI) programme of establishing housing solutions on mined-out bauxite lands is helping to enhance the standard of living of many persons in the small community of Hyde Park in St. Ann. Situated on approximately 150 hectares of lands mined out by the St. Ann Bauxite Partners, the Hyde Park housing project is now home to several...

As the country's third highest earner of foreign exchange, with approximately US$1 billion in annual gross earnings, the bauxite and alumina industry continues to be a vital contributor to the Jamaican economy. According to Chairman of the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI), Dr. Carlton Davis, mining of the precious resource is the single largest non-service activity in the country. He notes...

Minister of Agriculture and Lands, Roger Clarke, has said that the government is actively promoting sustainable development in the mining sector, while taking steps to protect environmentally sensitive areas. "If the potential of this sector is going to be realized, we have to agree on issues relating to sustainability and environmental management," the Minister said, while making his contribution to...

Residents of Water Valley and surrounding communities in St. Ann are slated to benefit from training in heavy duty mechanics, under a partnership between the St. Ann Jamaica Bauxite Partners (SAJBP) and the HEART Trust/NTA. Community and Public Relations Officer at SAJBP, Kent Skyers, told JIS News that some 20 persons were expected to participate in the programme, which would...