Nain traders look to Alpart refinery restart slated for June

Residents and business operators in Nain, southeastern St. Elizabeth, have welcomed reports that the Alpart alumina refinery could resume operations by next June. After several earlier restart efforts failed to materialise, many in the community say they are watching closely to see whether this latest timeline is honoured.

Commercial activity in Nain has slowed sharply since bauxite processing at Alpart ended in 2019. Shop fronts remain shut on most days, and traders describe the area as unusually quiet from early morning. Hundreds of people lost income tied directly or indirectly to the plant, and spending in the community has fallen sharply.

Locals say the district feels like a ghost town, with few people on the roads by 6:00 a.m. and little money circulating. Widespread job losses have pushed some operators out of business, while shopkeepers who extended credit to customers have been left struggling.

Since the plant closed, most businesses in the area have found it hard to stay open. Many residents said they are relieved that serious talk of a reopening is back on the table.

Stakeholders now express renewed hope that work at the facility could return. Mining Minister Floyd Green said owners JISCO plan to spend millions of United States dollars over the next two years to upgrade the plant, with part of that work aimed at preparing Alpart to restart within eleven months.

A municipal corporation representative welcomed the announcement, saying a functioning refinery would open opportunities for St. Elizabeth and neighbouring parishes and deliver a major economic boost. The corporation also pledged support to help advance the partnership.

Not everyone is fully convinced. Some residents remain cautious after repeated false starts over roughly the past eight years. Green said he is confident progress will follow commitments secured from key stakeholders during recent discussions he led in China.