UC Rusal appoints Fabrini to head Alpart

Alberto Fabrini has departed Jamalco to take up a new assignment as general manager, effective today, the new owners of the company have announced.

Fabrini succeeds Darrel Harriman, who retired May 31, after four years running the St. Elizabeth based plant.

Harriman departs having set production records at the plant for three consecutive years, 2003 to 2005, said new owners United Company Rusal and Hydro, as they announced the transition.

The board, said a company release, also noted that Alpart reduced its energy consumption and accident and injury rate during Harriman's tenure.

Fabrini, a Brazilian with 'broad experience' in the bauxite and alumina industry, has held positions in his home country and the United States.

Russian presence in Jamaica

As the head of Jamalco, he was posted in Jamaica by Alcoa - a rival to UC Rusal - which owns the Clarendon refinery in partnership with Jamaica and has operated here for three decades.

UC Rusal, just months ago, nudged aside Alcoa as the world's largest bauxite producer, following its merger with SUAL and Swiss-based Glencore.

The merger gives the Russians a presence in Jamaica's bauxite sector for the first time, having absorbed Glencore's 65 per cent stake in Alpart, and its more than 90 per cent ownership of Windalco.

Hydro Aluminium owns 35 per cent of Alpart.

There were no responses from Alcoa yesterday on who would replace Fabrini at Jamalco.