Mining Minister Mike Henry - file photo
Mining Minister Mike Henry has said every effort will be made to protect the interests of all local parties attached to the Noranda Bauxite Company in St. Ann.
Mr. Henry re-confirmed the Jamaican Government’s commitment in a release Monday morning.
The Jamaican assets of US-based Noranda Aluminum have been sold to New Day/DaDa Holdings which emerged as the successful bidder last week. This means New Day now has ownership of Noranda's bauxite mining rights in Jamaica.
Vando Palmer, Director of Public Relations and Communication in the Mining Ministry, said the ministry has been engaged in discussions with the local company, which is to be renamed New Day Jamaica Bauxite Mining.
He said the company has committed to completing projects that had been started by Noranda, such as reclaiming land.
"The commitment further came from the new company that they will honour all outstanding financial obligations that Noranda had - not just to the workers down there, but the contractors who were associated with the operation as well as any other personnel," Mr. Palmer outlined.
The government will be providing a cooperation framework to ensure that the new entity has a smooth take over of operations in keeping with the country's labour laws and legislation to protect the environment.
Cabinet is to be briefed on the developments on Monday, while Mr. Henry is to speak on the issue in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
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