]In spite of losing one of its major customers last year, Noranda Bauxite has been maintaining viable production and steady employment from its operations in Discovery Bay and its mining areas across the Dry Harbour Mountains of St. Ann.
The company faced closure last year with the loss of nearly 50% of its customer base, plus reduced global demand and pricing since the 2008-09 recession left its mark.
However under the new ownership of New Day Aluminum which commenced in November 2016, the local company has been expanding its global footprint to seek new markets in China and India, and into the US cement industry.
Vice president and general manager Delroy Dell, a Jamaican who took over the reins on January 4 2017, says that the company has launched “an intense marketing strategy to fill the gap.”
The trial shipments obtained with China and India since May are materializing into firmer contract arrangements, as a result of which Noranda has been able to maintain its workforce of some 500 direct employment jobs, 350 indirect contractor jobs, and several hundred indirect job opportunities through contractor services and temporary jobs.
The general manager has pointed out, however, that the level of employment will depend on the company’s ability to secure long term business for its product.
Marketing has also opened the opportunity to ship bauxite to the US cement industry, with the first such shipment leaving on August 15. Cement requires the blending of various minerals including aluminium and Jamaica’s bauxite is regarded as an excellent material to form the ‘raw mix’ for the kilns.
Dell said that the new Noranda also continues to support the community through education, agriculture, youth development, health initiatives and community outreach.
He cited the 76 education grants given for GSAT performance, the 40 summer jobs made available for students this year, and the Mini League child development programme for some 300 children engaged in sports and character development programmes at the company in July.
The company also continues with its Greenhouse programme which has built over 120 greenhouses for farmers on rehabilitated mining lands with farmers reporting 500% increase in harvests now unaffected by drought.
Community skills training also continues at the two Centres built by Noranda, with the current group of welding and electrical trainees going out on work experience programmes since September.
Noranda also completed its annual Community Concert series in Discovery Bay, and is wrapping up a wide community sports programme which had over 700 cricketers, netballers and footballers from30 communities participating for Noranda trophies.
