What is Jamaica bauxite?
Bauxite is the ore from which aluminium is made. Jamaica contains some of the largest known deposits of bauxite in the world. The mining areas are located in the western and central parts of the island. After mining, most of the bauxite is carried to alumina plants where it is refined into alumina.
What is Jamaican bauxite used for?
In fact, the use of bauxite is somewhat limited to aluminium production. Hence, the main use of bauxite in Jamaica is to convert it to alumina for exportation. However, let’s not detract its importance, as aluminium plays a vital role in creating a number of items.
Does Jamaica have a large bauxite field?
By 1957, Jamaica had become one of the largest bauxite producers in the world with a production capacity of up to 5 million tons per annum.
What are the benefits of bauxite?
Bauxite mining and refining operations offer significant economic benefits to local communities through:
- Provision of well paid-employment under conditions that comply with accepted labour standards;
- Provision of education and training programmes;
- Development of local industries and businesses;
Who owns the bauxite mine in Jamaica?
NORANDA JAMAICA BAUXITE PARTNERS (Bauxite Plant) The Government of Jamaica owns the remaining 51 percent. A concession from the Government of Jamaica permits Noranda Bauxite Limited to mine bauxite in Jamaica through 2030.
Can gold be found in Jamaica?
A Canadian firm, Carube Resources, has made a significant discovery of copper and gold in the Bellas Gate region of St. Catherine. The company which has pumped over CAD $3 million into prospecting the area made the announcement in a recent press release.
How much bauxite is left in Jamaica?
Jamaica had by then fallen to sixth place in the world, producing 10 million tonnes of bauxite. Jamaica’s share of world bauxite output has therefore fallen from 18% in the 1970s to about 2% of total world production of 300 million tonnes in 2018.
Where does the bauxite come from in Jamaica?
(SAJBP) Discovery Bay, St. Ann SAJBP is the only company in Jamaica that exports the raw bauxite ore, primarily to the Gramercy refinery in Louisiana. It does so from Port Rhoades in Discovery Bay. Century Aluminum Company and Apollo 49% Government of Jamaica 51% 4.7 million tonnes of bauxite per year.
What kind of ore is found in Jamaica?
Most of Jamaica’s bauxite is red or reddish-brown, a peculiarity which indicates the occurrence of iron mineral in the ore. There is no overburden covering the bauxite, as is the case in many other countries. The ore lies on the surface and is relatively easy to mine.
Where was the first alumina plant in Jamaica?
Alcan built the first alumina processing plant near its mines at Kirkvine, Manchester, and in early 1952 began shipping alumina from Port Esquivel. This was the beginning of the industry in Jamaica. Jamaica’s bauxite occurs in a series of deposits across the middle of the island, east to west.
Where is the bauxite treatment plant in Guinea?
Workers watch as bauxite is processed at a treatment plant operated by Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinee in Kamsar, Guinea, on Monday, Sept. 7, 2015…. Bauxite treatment plant operated by Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinee stands on the shoreline in Kamsar, Guinea, on Monday, Sept. 7, 2015.