The loading of a cargo ship with 35,000 tonnes of bauxite for export is being hailed as another landmark in the long journey towards “full resumption” of the UC Rusal Alpart bauxite/alumina operations.

“This is the first major economic activity coming out of Alpart in six years,” declared Mining Minister Phillip Paulwell who described himself as “excited and enthused” at the arrival of the cargo ship.

When loading is complete later this week, the ship, Vyritsa, is scheduled to leave Alpart’s Port Kaiser facility for Ukraine, Alpart officials said.

Alpart, the largest alumina refinery in Jamaica has been closed since 2009. But its Russian owners, UC Rusal have committed to reopening the refinery at Nain, south east St Elizabeth in December 2016.

Since January, there has been a resumption of bauxite mining operations by Alpart in Alpart’s mining areas in the Myersville region of south east St Elizabeth. And the Jamaican government has agreed to the export of bauxite by Alpart - pending reopening of the alumina plant.