Rusal Halts Output At Windalco, Alpart Due To Hurricane

Production at the Windalco and Alpart bauxite and alumina operations in Jamaica has temporarily halted due to Hurricane Dean, Russia’s United Company Rusal, the world’s largest aluminum producer, said. All operations of Windalco and Alpart were suspended on August 18 “in order to mitigate the risks of an accidental shutdown due to power failure or direct damage to factory components,” Rusal noted. The refineries are expected to restart after the hurricane has passed. Windalco is a joint venture between the government of Jamaica and Glencore Alumina Jamaica, which was recently acquired by Rusal. The company comprises two alumina refineries, Ewarton and Kirkvine, the Port Esquivel shipping port and bauxite mines in Schwallenburgh and Russell Place. Production of alumina is around 1.243 million metric tons a year. Alpart is an alumina refinery producing around 1.6 million tons a year.