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History of the Operations | Mission Statement | Company Values | Community Development | News Releases
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For a quick update on what has been happening in the Company, click on any of the following links below: 2007
2006
2005 2004
2003
WINDALCO to Construct New Lime Plant at Kirkvine WINDALCO is set to commence the construction of a new state-of-the-art lime plant at its quarry facility near Kirkvine Works. The plant is expected to cost approximately US$45 million and should be completed within two (2) years. According to Michael Douglas, Director – Business Development, the decision to construct a new lime kiln at Kirkvine was a sound and strategic decision based on the needs and operating costs of the Company as well as the commitment to continually improve the business. He said, “WINDALCO currently uses 100,000 tonnes of lime (calcium oxide) per annum in its plants at Ewarton and Kirkvine. Some of the lime is manufactured at Kirkvine plant in a very old and unreliable rotary kiln. This kiln also has very poor thermal efficiency and its exhaust dust suppression system is very inefficient. This situation is expected to be significantly alleviated with the construction of the new kilns.” He further disclosed that the current lime needs of the Company were not being met by the Kirkvine plant and so the balance of WINDALCO’s lime comes from a number of local suppliers, both small and large. Mr Douglas explained that although the Company was purchasing the lime from various local suppliers, the quantity available was still inadequate to supply the needs of the plants. “We have been importing lime, but once the project is completed, we will be able to adequately supply both our plants. This means that that we will not be faced with the increasing oil and sea freight charges associated with the importation and based on this we expect to immediately see some significant savings to the Company,” stated Mr Douglas. Raquel James, Senior Design Engineer and WINDALCO’s Project Manager, in her overview of the project said, “This plant will consist of two Parallel Flow Regenerative kilns with associated handling, storage and quarrying equipment. The kilns will be fitted with a waste gas cleaning system and dust suppression system to ensure full compliance with environmental regulations.” She also stated that the project also includes the supply of a mobile crushing plant, which will be located at the quarry face to facilitate the production of kiln stone of the correct size and quality for the optimisation of the kiln performance. The project will also encompass all the necessary equipment for washing, storing and feeding limestone to the kiln and for crushing, screening and storing the burnt lime product. “Once these are in place, it means that WINDALCO can not only shut down the rotary kiln that it currently operates, but the Company will also eliminate third party purchases of the product,” she said. Mr. Douglas further added, “Now that we have gotten the approval from our owners, a full environmental impact assessment will be done before the project starts and we will have to await those results and the necessary approvals from the relevant government agencies before construction starts. We hope the project will be approved because not only will the lime plant be more efficient, it will also be more environmentally friendly.” The lime will be delivered by truck from the new plant to Kirkvine plant for use by Kirkvine and for onward transportation to Ewarton by train. Back to the topCommunity Relations Review (July - December 2006)
Over 400 Students Benefit from WINDALCO’s Back-to-School Programme On Monday, 28 August 2006, 135 students from Manchester benefited from WINDALCO’s annual Back-to-School Programme. The programme was chaired by Dayton Robinson, Employee and Community Relations Officer (Kirkvine) and was attended by various company and community representatives as well as the students and their parents. Glendon Johnson, Employee and Community Relations Manager, stated that he was pleased with the turnout since it demonstrated the importance that the parents placed on the education of their children. According to Mr. Johnson, the programme has been in place for a very long time and each year it costs approximately seven hundred thousand to one million dollars per location. This year’s contribution was over six hundred thousand dollars at the Kirkvine location and excluded contributions to various educational institutions in the parish. In giving the overview of the programme, Mr. Johnson stated that, “as a corporate citizen, we feel a responsibility to helping with the development of the human resources of the country. This function today is just a snapshot of the larger picture which includes Ewarton, Schwallenburgh and Port Esquivel. Do not view this as a hand out, but rather as an investment in your education.” He also announced that Kirkvine would be starting a Second Chance Education Programme, similar to the ones already in place at Schwallenburgh and Ewarton. Under this programme the Company arranges and pays for several CXC classes for community members. The Company also pays the examination fees for the candidates. “We recognise the importance of continuing education,” said Mr. Johnson. “Our children deserve a second chance and we want to reach out to them before it is too late. The forms are already distributed and we are encouraging the members of the community to take up this offer.” Kirkvine’s Second Chance Education Programme will cost four hundred thousand dollars. Lena James, Co-Chair of the Community Council for Kirkvine, commended WINDALCO on the work it was doing and for assisting the over twenty communities in the area. In the 5 years since it was established, WINDALCO has invested over $7,000,000 in the programme which has assisted over 3000 students. This assistance is welcomed by the parents since the money may be used for any back-to-school expense (books, tuition, uniforms).
Outsourcing of Schwallenburgh Mines (Ewarton) WINDALCO has, for some time, been in discussions to outsource the mining operations at Schwallenburgh to Washington Group International. The full service ten-year contract was signed between WINDALCO and Washington Group International on Friday, 30 June 2006. Washington Group is an engineering, construction and management company active in 30 countries around the world. Under this agreement, Washington Group Mines Division, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, will have responsibilities for all mining for the Ewarton Works Refinery. This includes exploration drilling, mine development, post-mining reclamation and stockpile management. WINDALCO will continue to operate the ropeway system and will also maintain responsibility for community relations. The mining activities at Schwallenburgh are currently being manned by approximately 110 regular WINDALCO employees and most of these employees will be made redundant. However, the Washington Group will be conducting interviews to fill the positions necessary to conduct contract mining operations and these interviews will include the current WINDALCO mining employees. The Washington Group also purchased the assets of Bauxite Mining and Transportation Limited (formerly HWE), effective 1 July 2006. Therefore, they will now do all the mining for Kirkvine Works as well. The outsourcing of the Schwallenburgh mining operations is being done in our continued effort to improve efficiencies and to allow some capital to be focused on our alumina operations. Detailed discussions with the Washington Group will continue to determine the best date for them to start operations at Schwallenburgh.
WINDALCO Takes Home Five of Nine Major Awards at the National Minerals Industry Safety Awards For the sixth time in eight years, WINDALCO has stamped its superiority on the bauxite and alumina industry by taking home the Commissioner of Mines Plaque for Best Record in Land Reclamation and Restoration at the National Minerals Industry Safety Awards Banquet which was recently held a the Terra Nova Hotel. This is in addition to four other major awards, namely the Minister’s Cup for the Best Safety Record in Ore Processing Operations, The Minister’s Awards for Best Safety Improvement in Ore Processing Operations, The Minister’s Awards for Best Safety Improvement in Mining Operations and Best Environmental Performance in Mining Operations. In a report issued by the Mines and Geology Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, the Restoration Committee (led by a representative of the Mines and Geology Division and with agents from the Jamaica Bauxite Institute and the Rural Physical Planning Division) conducted seven certification exercises for the year. WINDALCO was the only company which received a 100% pass rate for the lands presented and according to the report, “the quality of the restoration work was at its usually high standard.” The Commissioner’s Plaque is awarded based on the restored lands presented and certified. The decision is based on a number of factors, including the quality of the restoration work, diversification of land use, quantity of lands presented, the company’s response to community needs, and the company’s efforts in reducing its liability. Based on the criteria, the committee awarded top honours to WINDALCO’s Kirkvine Mines with Ewarton placing a close second. Other awards won by WINDALCO are:
The 2006 National Minerals Industry Safety Awards function recognises the 2005 safety and environment performance of companies in the bauxite, alumina and quarrying industries. The function is held under the auspices of the Mines and Geology Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands.
Contract signed for new WINDALCO haul roadWINDALCO and Bouygues Travaux Publics recently signed a contract for the construction of a new haul road from WINDALCO’s bauxite mines in Schwallenburgh, St. Ann to its alumina refinery at Ewarton, St. Catherine. The construction of the 14metre wide, 7.6km long haul road will cost approximately US$14M. The first phase of the project which entails the construction of the first 3.5km of the road is scheduled to start in August. The entire project is expected to be completed within ten months. Currently, WINDALCO utilises an aerial ropeway system (buckets conveyed along cables) from the Schwallenburgh Mines to the Ewarton plant; but over the years the needs of the plant have outgrown the ropeway’s capacity to supply bauxite, and additional quantities of bauxite are trucked by public road. The construction of the new haul road will facilitate the removal of these trucks from the public thoroughfare. According to Ewarton (Schwallenburgh) Mines Manager, Locksley Allen, “the new haul road will be used for the transportation of all the refinery’s bauxite requirements and will see the retirement of the Company’s almost fifty-year-old aerial ropeway once the road is completed and in use.” He further added that public safety and convenience had always been a concern for the company and that the construction of the new haul road would address that since the company would no longer have to truck its bauxite supply using the Mount Rosser Main Road. “This new haul road starts in the mines and ends in the plant.” he stated. The new haul road is to be commissioned into service in the second quarter of 2007.
WINDALCO Launches Scholarships for Sports On Tuesday, 27 June 2006, WINDALCO officially launched the Managing Director’s Scholarship for Sports at its Head Office in Manchester. Two full scholarships valued at $300,000.00 each were presented to Miss Rosemarie White and Miss Sonita Sutherland, both recent graduates of Holmwood Technical High School who are now enrolled in the Teacher Training Programme at GC Foster College. The scholarships which cover the three-year duration of the Diploma Course in Teacher Education (sports) includes full tuition as well as boarding. Manager of Employee and Community Relations, Mr. Glendon Johnson spoke of WINDALCO’s long history of involvement in sports stating, “We are proud of our record and we intend to continue”. He listed some of the numerous outstanding athletes that had benefited from Sports Development Programme including Deon Hemmings (Jamaica’s first female Olympic Gold Medallist), Inez Turner (Commonwealth Gold Medallist), Lorraine Fenton-Graham (Olympic & World Silver Medallist), Elva Goulbourne (National Long Jump Record Holder), Aneisha McLaughlin (IAAF Silver Medallist) and Linton McKenzie (National Cross Country Champion) in track and field. National players - Marlon Muschette (Senior), Dave Leung (Under 23), Colin Williams (Under 20) in football and Ricardo Powell (Professional Cricketer – Jamaica and West Indies), Matthew Sinclair (cricket), Kaydeanne Holness and Francene Powell (netball). This assistance is not unusual for WINDALCO. In fact, the Company has always prioritised sports as an important component of youth development andprides itself on being involved in the development of these young athletes from the very beginning. Many of competitions sponsored by WINDALCO target the identification of talent for future nurturing. “Our contribution is geared towards placing that athlete on a path towards professionalism, educational advancement and national representation.” said Mr. Johnson. WINDALCO’s assistance to young athletes transcends sponsorship of competitions and provision of scholarships. The Company has also assisted with boarding fees and tuition for other athletes and even airfares for those athletes who display a greater potential in both academia and sports. The Company has also placed a strong emphasis on producing teachers in various disciplines by working with institutions such as GC Foster College, Mico College and Knox Community College. Director of Human Resources, Marcia Tai Chun spoke of the tradition of excellence at Holmwood Technical and pledged the company’s ongoing support while Mr. Maurice Wilson, Coach of the Holmwood Team, thanked WINDALCO for the excellent support given to the school over the years. The Sports Scholarships were presented by outgoing Managing Director, Michael Collins and will be included in the Company’s Scholarship Programme which includes scholarships at the University of Technology, The University of the West Indies and Northern Caribbean University.
Old Harbour Police Station Gets Help from WINDALCO Police men and women of the Old Harbour station in St. Catherine are now operating in more comfortable surroundings, as the facility has been upgraded by West Indies Alumina Company (WINDALCO). At the recent handing over ceremony, Senior Community Relations Officer at WINDALCO, Carlton Britton, told JIS News that in 2005, while his company was effecting repairs to the town clock, they were made aware of some of the difficulties facing the personnel who operated from the station. "An urgent request was made for help, in particular about the state of the women's quarters and we did a tour of the station so as to assess the situation. The conditions were really unsuitable, to say the least, so we assigned project technician, Cedric Parkinson, to do an estimate of the repair, which we later found out to be in excess of $300,000," he said. Mr. Britton pointed out that the upgrading work commenced in November of 2005 and was completed in February 2006. "During this period, the following tasks were done - enlargement of the female quarters, installation of new lockers and doors, installation of a partition between male and female quarters, tiling, electrical rewiring, repainting as well as the cleaning-up of debris and clearing of storm drains," he told JIS News. Mr. Britton said it was the hope of WINDALCO that the upgrading would boost the morale of the officers. "We recognise that the police have a difficult job to do, and anything that we can do to make the job a little bit easier, we commit ourselves to doing, as this is part of our commitment as a corporate body," he said. Project Manager in the Ministry of National Security, Whilston Taylor, told JIS News that this initiative would augur well for the future of the station. "We encourage this sort of partnership between the private and public sectors, as this is one sure way of putting in place a culture that will redound to the betterment of society and by extension the citizens. I salute WINDALCO on a job well done," he said. - Copyright JIS News
JOINT PRESS RELEASE Glencore Alumina Jamaica Limited (Member, WINDALCO Joint Venture) & The Union of Technical, Administrative & Supervisory Personnel (UTASP)
NEW MEMORANDUM OF
SETTLEMENT BETWEEN On Thursday, January 19, 2006, Glencore Alumina Jamaica and the Union of Technical, Administrative & Supervisory Personnel (UTASP) signed a Memorandum of Settlement on labour and fringe benefits on behalf of specified categories of salaried employees at WINDALCO. The agreement was reached after eight negotiation meetings. Negotiations started on May 12, 2005 on a contract which expired on December 31, 2004. A three-year contract spanning the period January 2005 to December 2007 which covers salary and fringe benefits was signed. The highlights of this contract are salary increases of 12%, 11% and 7% in each respective period of the contract. Under the terms of agreement, improvements were also made to some of the existing fringe benefits, a primary one being the transportation allowance and shift and holiday compensation. The Company and the Union will continue dialogue on the agreed post negotiation items.
WINDALCO REFURBISHES KENDAL POLICE STATION “It’s an ill wind that blows no good”; this is an old proverb but in the address by the Hon. Dr Peter Phillips, M.P., Minister of National Security who was guest speaker at the official re-opening ceremony of the Kendal Police Station in Manchester held on Thursday 24 February, 2005; he said the ill winds of Hurricane Ivan certainly ushered in some good WINDALCO winds. The management of West Indies Alumina Company (WINDALCO) as part of a multi-million dollar Natural Disaster Fund made donations of over twelve million dollars to some 36 institutions and community organisations in their host communities in the parishes of St Catherine, Manchester and St Ann as well as significant corporate contributions across Jamaica. As part of the drive for nation building, the police station that is described as a model of partnership between the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the community in Jamaica, the 114 year-old police station was refurbished by WINDALCO at an approximate cost of $900,000.00. Function Chairman Glendon Johnson, WINDALCO’s Employee and Community Relations Manager in his overview of the project gave details of the work carried out to return the Police Station to active service. He reported that the work done on the station entailed a complete re-roofing and ceiling exercise, replacement of damaged wooden flooring and laying of ceramic tiles in two offices, rehabilitation of electrical works, replacement of six doors inclusive of door jambs, repair of bathroom fixtures, replacement of louver-blades and repair of windows, complete painting of building and painting and replacement of flag poles. The Hon. John Junor, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Central Manchester in whose constituency the Station is located, in addressing the audience drawn from the surrounding communities which the Station serves, expressed pride at the dedication of the officers of the Kendal Station. He said that in his association with the community since 1985, the level of commitment of the officers and the support given by the community was hard to be equalled anywhere and he had no doubts that this played a significant factor in the low crime rate in the area. He congratulated WINDALCO on the company’s corporate social responsibility hailing the organisation as very responsive to community needs. Deputy Commissioner of Police Jevene Bent who sent the initial request for help for police stations that suffered damage as a result of the passing of Hurricane Ivan delivered remarks on behalf of the JCF. She too endorsed the Kendal community and the Police Officers’ partnership and highlighted the significant contribution of corporate partners to community policing and development. So effective she said was this partnership that the JCF has adopted as part of their awards and promotion system, the component of ‘community participation and involvement’. She challenged all stakeholders in the bid to be vigilant and sustaining an environment that is inhospitable to criminal elements and activities. Woman Constable P. Powell introduced the guest speaker, the Hon. Dr Peter Phillips, M.P. who hails from the parish of Manchester. He too expressed his gratitude to the management and staff of WINDALCO for their continued support of community development. “I wish to express my thanks to WINDALCO for this effort, which was made to upgrade the Kendal Police Station as I am well aware of the conditions that existed after the passage of the hurricane," he said. In his address he highlighted the two significant areas in which policing in Jamaica would be successful. Firstly, he said there must be forged, a partnership between the community and the police in order to isolate and delete criminal activities and secondly in the face of difficult fiscal realities that corporate citizens and the community must pledge their commitment and contributions. “The truth is that security is a costly venture and requires in a real way, significant levels of investments if we are to as a society, keep pace with the threats that we face as it relates to national security.” He made an appeal for the lives and the working conditions for the officers to be improved for officers “risk their lives in the line of duty daily so we must give as much as we can.” He ended his presentation by reconfirming that the criminal element is in the minority and that “if we do not step forward, the criminal element will surge forward.” Superintendent George Quaillo in charge of Manchester in his vote of thanks commended the officers, community and WINDALCO for the level of commitment and involvement demonstrated in refurbishing the building as well as supporting the service provided to the citizens of the area. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony The Rev. Kingsley Andrews, Station Pastor blessed and rededicated the officers and the station to the service of the community and to God. The official re-opening was carried out when WINDALCO’s Human Resources Director, Marcia Tai Chun and Dr Peter Phillips cut the ribbon to the new look Station. Participation in the ceremony spanned all sections of the community; in attendance were members of area schools, members of the community councils and citizens association. Students of the Kendal All-Age cultural group and the Mandeville Police Station Officers gave welcome renditions in poetry and song. Also in attendance at the re-opening ceremony were: the Hon. Dean Peart, M.P., Minister of Land and Environment; Horace Williams, Former Mayor of Mandeville; Senior Supt Ronald Facey; Senior Supt Clifford Blake; Carlton Stephens, President of the Joint Community Councils; Principal, Kendal All-Age – James McLaughlin, Willie Taylor of the Ministry of National Security, members of the Manchester Parish Council and staff and members of the management team from WINDALCO .
18 Receive NVQ-J Certificates Through WINDALCO’s Training Programme 18 employees at WINDALCO were recently certified to Levels I and II in Mechanical Maintenance in the National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica (NVQ-J) Certification Programme. The employees were presented with certificates at special ceremonies organised at the various locations (Kirkvine, Ewarton and Port Esquivel). The NVQ-J programme is done in parallel with WINDALCO’s Block Training System which covers the Trades and Operations Groups. The programme is based on the achievement of competence as specified in the occupational standards for each area and was launched to support employee development by complementing WINDALCO’s Block Training System while providing an opportunity for the employees to become part of a certified workforce. The NVQ-J programme, which is organised and administered by the National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NCTVET), was launched by the Company in 2002. At that time the programme included Millwrights, Welders, Heavy Duty & Auto Mechanics, some of the skills which were already taught in the Company’s Block Training System. The Company strongly supported the implementation of the programme by ensuring the necessary infrastructure was in place to ensure its success. Some of the objectives achieved in support of the programme are the approval of the training facilities at Kirkvine and Ewarton, rewriting the training manuals to reflect the standards of the NCTVET, retraining instructors with regards to the preparation of questions and retraining employees using the revised manuals. The NVQ-J Certificate is issued by the National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NCTVET) and is awarded along with WINDALCO’s Block Training Certificate to successful trainees. According to Marcia Tai Chun, Human Resources Director, “Employment trends have evolved globally and employers are now recruiting workers who have tangible proof of their skills. With the NVQ-J certification, our employees will be given the proof that is recognized in several countries thus making them more marketable”. She pointed out that WINDALCO is creating a “strong workforce that can compete with the best in the world” and that the certificates and presentations are in keeping with the Company’s commitment to people development and recognition. As a full member of The Association of Commonwealth Examination and Accreditation Body (ACEAB), the NVQ-J certificate issued by the NCTVET is recognized in 60 commonwealth countries.
2004 - Year In Review
2004 was an interesting year for WINDALCO. There were some special highlights throughout the year such as the Company’s record haul of seven out of ten major safety awards and all three environmental awards at the Mineral Industry Awards. As we embark on another year, we take the time to reflect on 2004 – the successes and areas for improvement. The following are some highlights of 2004.
Community Development WINDALCO is cognisant of the fact that a harmonious relationship with the host community is crucial for the successful operation of the Company’s business. Based on this fact, the Company has worked hard to establish an effective Community Development Programme. Some of the features of this programme are frequent meetings with community representatives to hear their concerns, inform them of the Company’s environmental activities and to apprise them of action plans to mitigate any potential adverse impact. Where a resident has a concern or complaint, there are mechanisms in place to address them as quickly as possible. The Community Relations Department also provides funding for various community projects. These are typically in the area of skills training, health, education and social investment. In 2004, the Company invested over nineteen million Jamaican Dollars (J$19,000,000) in its Community Development Programme.
- A ginger planting project for farmers in the Ewarton area which was launched in March - The Shooter’s Hill Post Office (Manchester) which was opened in June
Natural Disaster Fund
Sports
Safety
Health
Environment
Employee Relations, Development & Training
Facilities
SAFETY, A MUST… EVERYWHERE, EVERYTIME:
On Friday, 29 November, New Green Primary and Junior High topped the competition to claim the WINDALCO Safety Quiz Championship Trophy after a spirited match against rivals, McIntosh Memorial Primary. The final match was the culmination of a well-battled competition in which eight schools (New Green Primary and Junior High, McIntosh Memorial Primary, Bellefield Primary, Kendal All-Age, Richmond All-Age, Chantilly Primary, Mizpah All-Age and Mt Olivet Primary) participated in Kirkvine’s inaugural Primary School’s Safety Quiz Competition. With over 200 persons, including the other participating schools, teachers, parents, students, members of the security forces and fire department as well as representatives from communities in and around Mandeville and the host communities of the Kirkvine Plant attending the finals, the stage was set for the thrilling competition which ensued. At the end of day, New Green emerged the winner and McIntosh Primary took home the second place trophy. In his address, Managing Director of WINDALCO, Michael Collins expressed his company’s commitment to introducing a vibrant safety culture to residents and organisations in the surrounding communities of Mandeville. He congratulated the teachers and students for embracing the competition and showing the level of interest required to sustain the competition as a tool in influencing life at the participating schools. He further encouraged students to be safety ambassadors by taking the safe way to live not only at school but to pervade their homes and communities in which they live. The address from Dr Owen James, the Company’s Medical Director and Corporate Health and Safety Manager highlighted the competition’s theme. He explained that the Quiz did not only reflect the topics outlined in the Safety Manual which was compiled by the members of the organising team, but also drew on the knowledge of the students. Stating that the manuals were “designed not only for the competitive aspect (to win a prize) but also for the learning and retention of safety principles to guide us all in conduct of our daily lives,” he urged the students and teachers to “consider these thoughts as you tackle the competition and ‘spread the word’ about safety and its importance to your colleagues, friends, family and others.” The primary objectives of the competition, which was organized by the Kirkvine Community Relations Department, were to sensitise students at the Primary school level to the need to practise safety in order to become safety ambassadors within their communities and to build better relationships with the surrounding communities through involvement in the schools. Dayton Robinson, Employee and Community Relations Officer (Kirkvine) stated that the competition would be an annual event highlighting WINDALCO’s commitment to safety and the community. WINDALCO was commended and thanked by the various officials present from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (Cpl Karen Austin), the Fire Department (Cpl Julian Buckle) and the Manchester Regional Office of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture’s Education/Community Relations Officer, Joan Smith, who stated that the programme was a reflection of both the level of responsible safety management at the Company and a need to instill this successful discipline in the wider community. The competition was launched on Monday November 15, 2004 at the Gulf View Hotel in Mandeville, Manchester and ran for two weeks.
Sir John
Golding Rehabilitation Centre (formerly Mona Rehab) receives JA
$1,000,000 assistance from WINDALCO Just two weeks after assisting Hanbury Children’s Home with their recovery efforts, WINDALCO has made another presentation of JA$1,000,000, this time to the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre (formerly Mona Rehab) in Mona. The Company’s contribution was a quick response to the Centre’s plea for help following the passage of Hurricane Ivan which removed the roof of the Occupational and Physical Therapy building. Speaking at the presentation, Marcia Tai Chun, Human Resources Director of WINDALCO, commented on the long history of service the institution had to not only the immediate community but to the entire island. She also spoke of the dedication and commitment of Sir John Golding who gave unselfishly of his time and services to help the physically challenged. On hand to accept the contribution were Lady Patricia Golding and Mrs. Hazel Waite, Chief Executive Officer of the South East Regional Health Authority. Mrs. Waite thanked the Bauxite and Alumina Company for the contribution, stating that it was a significant contribution that would greatly assist with the Centre’s recovery efforts. She also spoke of other damages sustained and the loss of equipment that was housed in that section of the building. The assistance from WINDALCO could not have come at a better time as when the team toured the area, it was flooded from the previous night’s rainfall. WINDALCO played a key role in assisting several institutions and the general public immediately after the hurricane by helping with recovery work such as clearing and repairing roads, providing water and donating emergency relief supplies to a number of shelters. The Company’s contribution follows the announcement of a thirty one million Jamaican Dollars (JA$31,000,000) facility to aid the recovery efforts of their employees and community based institutions. WINDALCO has earmarked a total of thirty-six institutions in the Company’s host communities, across the parishes of Manchester, St. Catherine and St. Ann, to receive assistance.
WINDALCO To Assist Over Thirty Institutions With Their Hurricane Recovery Efforts
Following on the announcement of a thirty one million Jamaican Dollars (JA$31,000,000) facility to aid the recovery efforts of their employees and some community based institutions, WINDALCO has earmarked a total of thirty-six institutions in the Company’s host communities, across the parishes of Manchester, St. Catherine and St. Ann, to receive assistance. The first contribution of one million Jamaican Dollars (JA$1,000,000) was presented by Michael Collins, Managing Director of WINDALCO, to Major Rudolph Richards of the Hanbury Children’s Home in Kendal, Manchester. In making the presentation, Mr. Collins spoke of the long association that WINDALCO enjoyed with the home and the key role that such institutions play in society. He commended the staff of the home for their efforts and the good job that they were doing and pledged the Company’s continued support. In responding on behalf of the staff and approximately seventy-nine children at the home, Major Richards, thanked the Company for always supporting the home and promised that “the donation would go a long way towards repairing the dormitories that were damaged in the hurricane”. He also invited the WINDALCO Team to view the dormitories once the repairs were completed. WINDALCO played a key role in assisting several institutions and the general public immediately after the hurricane by helping with recovery work such as clearing and repairing roads, providing water and donating emergency relief supplies to a number of shelters.
WINDALCO – Striving for Excellence and Making Dreams Come True
WINDALCO is proud of the successes of the Jamaican Olympic team at the recent Athens Games. The country was well represented and the team performed with grace and dignity. We are always encouraged when the development of our local talents culminates in the exciting and stunning display witnessed worldwide. In fact, our pride goes above and beyond since we have been involved with the development of several sports stars that have gone on to represent Jamaica in the international arena. WINDALCO has a strong commitment to the development of sports in Jamaica. This commitment is demonstrated by the inclusion of Youth and Sports Development as a core component of its community development programme. Recognizing the importance of this type of support to the community, both for recreation and for unearthing fresh talent, the Company’s Community Relations Departments regularly organize and sponsor sports competitions for their respective communities. A company which has in its employ, members of the executive of various sports associations including Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association, Jamaica Hockey Federation and The Jamaica Table Tennis Association, WINDALCO even has its own Youth and Sports Development Officer on staff to help coordinate activities in this area. WINDALCO’s involvement in sports is not limited to the various competitions organised by its respective locations (Kirkvine, Ewarton, Schwallenburgh, Moneague and Port Esquivel) and the sponsorship of numerous meets, championships and competitions. “When we discover talented youngsters in any of our programmes, we try to give them the opportunity to reach the highest level in their respective disciplines. We pay school fees, boarding fees, assist with transportation and meal expenses, meet with counsellors and coaches and purchase gear”, said Pat Anderson, Youth and Sports Development Officer at WINDALCO. “There are youngsters as young as seven years old in our programme and we will be helping them every step of the way for as far as they can go”, he continued. His statements are easily verified when one reads a listing of all the air fares that the Company has paid for young athletes to participate in events such as the Penn Relays and the college assistance they receive when they are accepted to local or overseas tertiary institutions. Having enjoyed a long and rich history with numerous sporting events and championships, both locally and internationally, it is not surprising that WINDALCO’s sports development programme has played an integral role in the growth of some of Jamaica’s finest talents. Athletes who have participated and excelled in the WINDALCO programme include Deon Hemmings (Jamaica’s first female Olympic Gold Medallist), Inez Turner (Commonwealth Gold Medallist), Lorraine Graham-Fenton (Olympic & World Silver Medallist), Elva Gouldbourne (National Long Jump Record Holder), Aneisha McLaughlin (IAAF Silver Medallist) and Linton McKenzie (National Cross Country Champion) in track and field. National players - Marlon Muschette (Senior), Dave Leung (Under 23), Colin Williams (Under 20) in football and Ricardo Powell (Professional Cricketer – Jamaica and West Indies) and Matthew Sinclair (cricket) have all progressed through WINDALCO’s Sports Development Programme which also includes Table Tennis and Netball. Marcia Tai Chun, Human Resources Director, in commenting on the Company’s investment which totals over JA$7,000,000 said, “We believe that this is one way of Investing in Jamaica’s future – supporting youth development through sports. When our athletes do well, we share in that success because we have been with them almost every step of the way. WINDALCO is proud to be there, for our sporting stars, not just at the finish line, but every step of the way”.
WINDALCO – Building Better Communities through Youth Development
WINDALCO has a key interest in Jamaica’s future and as such invests in various programmes and projects promoting community development. In 2003, the Company invested more than US$118,000 (JA$7,080,000) in its various host communities and national programmes and projects. Being involved in and supporting the local communities is one of the key foundations on which the Company’s community development programme is built and over the years the Company’s Community Relations and Communications Departments have engaged in a programme of integrating the Company within its respective host communities and by extension, the national community. One critical element of the community development programme is strong support in the areas of education and sports, particularly for youth. In fact, WINDALCO has a Youth and Sports Development Officer on staff to help coordinate activities in this area.
Development Through Education
Second Chance Education Programme This commitment to giving persons a second chance also extends to adults where the Port Esquivel Community Relations Department helps to fund the Old Harbour Adult Literacy Class. WINDALCO also assists parents across all its locations with the purchase of uniforms and the payment of CXC and CAPE examination fees. Since 2002 more than one hundred students in the Ewarton area have received financial assistance with their CXC and CAPE examination fees. This assistance is valued at over four hundred thousand dollars (JA$400,000). WINDALCO also assists schools by helping to fund infrastructural projects, donating furniture and equipment and also dedicating time to share valuable leadership and personal development tips with the students.
Summer Employment Programme The primary aim of WINDALCO’s Summer Employment Programme is to expose those students who have an interest in the industry to their respective area of interest, offer employment to those students who need to supplement their income for the upcoming academic year and provide meaningful work experience for all the successful applicants.
Scholarship Programme
Development Through Sports Earlier this year, Ewarton Works launched its inaugural Primary and Preparatory Under 12 Cricket Competition. Sixteen schools participated in the competition which was held at a cost of JA$400,000.00. In April, the fourth annual WINDALCO Primary Netball and Cricket Competitions were held for schools in the Moneague/ Schwallenburgh area. Kirkvine and Port Esquivel both organised and sponsored summer camps for their respective communities. Each major location (Kirkvine, Ewarton and Port Esquivel) has a sports club which is utilised by numerous youth clubs, football and netball associations. These clubs and associations have also benefited from the Company’s sponsorship of their various meets and competitions. In both instances, the Company has discovered athletes who have participated in WINDALCO’s Sports Development Programme and progressed to represent Jamaica both nationally and internationally. Among those athletes are Elva Goldbourne (Track and field), Ricardo Powell (cricket), Melinda Lindo (cricket) and Jomo Bent (cricket – under 15). This dedication to youth is not a singular focus for any one location, but rather a commitment on the part of the Company to support youth through these two key areas – education and sports. As part of Jamaica, WINDALCO takes all its responsibilities seriously and is committed to building stronger communities, particularly through youth development. At WINDALCO, our aim is excellence and we are proud to be Jamaican.
WINDALCO INVESTS OVER JA$5 MILLION IN SUMMER EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME
West Indies Alumina Company (WINDALCO) has invested over five million dollars in its summer employment programme for 2004. This year one hundred and twenty-one students from various tertiary and secondary institutions have been placed in several departments across the Company’s locations. These departments range from Refinery Technical, Powerhouse, Maintenance and Refinery Operations to Legal, Information Technology, Capital Projects, Medical and Agriculture. The primary aim of WINDALCO’s summer employment programme is to expose those students who have an interest in the industry to the respective area of interest, offer employment to those students who need to supplement their income for the upcoming academic year and provide meaningful work experience for all the successful applicants. The summer employment programme is done in two stages. The first stage, for tertiary level students, started on Monday, 07 June and will end on Friday, 30 July. The second stage, for secondary level students, starts on Tuesday, 03 August and ends on Friday, 27 August. At the beginning of each stage all students undergo an orientation programme in which they are exposed to the safety and security rules as well as the Company’s environmental policy. Students are also exposed to various professional ethics for the workplace. At the end of the orientation period, all students are equipped with proper protective equipment and directed to their respective departments. WINDALCO’s summer employment programme has been in place for over thirty-five years.
WINDALCO TOPS THE INDUSTRY AT THE NATIONAL MINERALS INDUSTRY AWARDS WINDALCO took top honours in the bauxite and alumina industry at the recently held Ministry of Mining and Energy’s (Mines and Geology Division) Minerals Industry Awards which was held at Golf View Hotel in Mandeville. WINDALCO was awarded seven of ten major awards (safety) and all three environment awards. The function was chaired by Commissioner of Mines, Coy Roache, who gave some comparison statistics on safety in the industry. Mr Roache also made special mention of WINDALCO’s performance in the area of reclamation. He said that the Company had reclaimed seventy five percent of its lands. Speaking on behalf of the Industry, Managing Director – Michael Collins, gave an overview of the local and global industries and the importance of the bauxite and alumina industry to the local economy. He took the opportunity to also commend the ministry for its effort in maintaining the awards function and helping to promote safety through out the industry. Greetings were also delivered by Norman DaCosta (NWU), Patrice Ennis (UTASP) and Wyatt Morgan (Bauxite Safety Council). The main address was given by Mrs Jacqueline DaCosta, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Land and Environment. Mrs DaCosta spoke about the various expansion projects taking place in the industry and the fact that Jamaicans must be trained and equipped to pursue these job options. Special congratulations were extended to WINDALCO for the excellent safety and environment performance in 2003. She said that the bauxite and alumina industry remained one of the safest industries even while one of the most hazardous in the country. The following is the list of awards won by the Company: Safety Kirkvine Works
Kirkvine Mines
Ewarton Works
Environment
WINDALCO Sets The Standard in Land Reclamation and Restoration For the fifth time in six years, West Indies Alumina Company (WINDALCO) has topped the mining, bauxite and alumina industries to take home the Commissioner of Mines Plaque for the Best Record in Land Reclamation and Restoration for 2003. This follows the Company’s 2003 record breaking performance of restoring and certifying 104 hectares – 29 hectares more than the 2003 target of 75 hectares. The award was made at the Ministry of Mining and Energy’s (Mines and Geology Division) Mineral Industry Awards which was held on Wednesday, 23 June at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville. Good environmental management is one of WINDALCO’s highest priorities and in 2000 the Company adopted the International Environmental Standard, ISO 14001 as its management system in addressing its environment concerns. One of the main environmental concerns that the Company has to address is that of reclamation, rehabilitation and utilization of mined-out and reclaimed lands. In 1968, a land reclamation research programme was undertaken with the primary objective of determining the best techniques of reclamation which would provide the most effective restoration of mined-out lands for agricultural production. As a result of the findings, the former practice of restoring land predominantly for livestock production was expanded to include food crop production, timber and fruit trees. Some of the restored lands are used for recreational facilities and housing development. The utilization of some restored lands for the planting of fruit and timber trees also has positive impact on the nation’s environment and economy and the Company frequently supplies tree seedlings for various other national tree planting exercises. These seedlings are made available to the public from Grove Place in Manchester and Moneague in St. Ann. These pioneering efforts pre-dated the new legislation which expanded the option for land restoration from pasture only to other uses. Reclamation and restoration are conducted on a timely basis and are under constant review to ensure optimum productivity and sustainability. The process is a collaborative effort between the Mines and Agriculture Departments. Before certification can take place, an assessment is done to ascertain the readiness of the land for presentation. This assessment is done by an internal team which uses the following criteria –
Once this is done, the certification team, led by the Commissioner of Mines and includes representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Jamaica Bauxite Institute, is invited to conduct the process. WINDALCO sets an internal target of reclaiming and restoring land within three years of mine closure and has consistently completed the process well within two years.
WINDALCO ON A PRODUCTION ROLLLast year’s record-breaking production performance continues into the first quarter of 2004. With what is steadily being defined as a “way of business”, WINDALCO employees have committed to continuous improvement not only in the area of production but in safety, health, environment, quality, community and employee relations. As a signal of the continuous trend, the 2003 target of 1,254,000 tonnes was surpassed by 9,000 tonnes at December and at the end of March 2004 the Ewarton and Kirkvine combined production total for alumina hydrate stood at 322,475 tonnes against a target of 313,735 tonnes. This was as a direct result of cohesive teamwork and concentrated focus between the production, maintenance and support services teams across all locations. What is significant about this performance was that it was achieved while meeting and improving cost targets set for the first quarter and not compromising on safety, environment and quality. Both Ewarton and Kirkvine achieved new production records in 2003 and have continued with first quarter (2004) all time highs. Kirkvine, which is one of the world’s oldest plants, having commenced production in 1952, had its best first quarter on record across all key parameters.
The focus for the remainder of 2004 is to continue this trend in production while maintaining our high standards and commitment to safety, environment and quality. A skilled and dedicated workforce is the key ingredient in ensuring the continued competitiveness and success of the Kirkvine and Ewarton plants (both amongst the world’s smallest refineries). The WINDALCO Team will remain a focused and successful one.
WINDALCO – A Strong Partner In EducationWINDALCO has always been a strong advocate of education. The Company’s firm support of schools and other learning institutions stems from its belief that everyone should have a fair chance to a good education. It is against this background that WINDALCO has an established scholarship programme at several tertiary institutions. With over one million Jamaican dollars committed to the scholarship fund, WINDALCO offers scholarships at the University of the West Indies, University of Technology, Northern Caribbean University, College of Agriculture, Science and Education and the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. The scholarship programme will be extended this year with the inclusion of eight additional scholarships for successful candidates in the Grade Six Achievement Tests. This new scholarship offer will be limited to the students in the Company’s host communities. In 2002, WINDALCO started a Second Chance Education Programme in the Schwallenburgh/ Moneague area. This programme was in response to the many job applications the Company received from persons who did not have the minimum secondary training. The Community Relations Department identified the need to equip those young adults with the minimum requirements for the job market. The programme was added to the community development thrust and the classes soon started. Four subjects (Mathematics, English Language, Biology and Social Studies) are taught four days per week. The Company sources and pays teachers from the nearby Moneague College at an average cost of four hundred and fifty thousand dollars annually. The programme has been successful thus far, |
