Tuesday, May 13 2008

THE FIRST pieces of equipment needed to begin construction of the smelter plant at Union Estate, La Brea, arrived on our shores last week, Alutrint’s communications manager, Abdon Mason confirmed yesterday.

“The equipment has already been offloaded and being stored on the site,” he said.

Mason said the La Brea community posted notices and informed residents of the arrival of the equipment.

“Nothing here is happening in isolation of the community,’ he said.

Mason added that the equipment was being stored on the site and China Machinery and Equipment Import and Export Corporation (CMEC) transported from the La Brea Industrial Development Company estate, then to the union estate.

An Alutrint officials said only two pieces of equipment — out of the 12 to 15 pieces — arrived.

A critical piece of equipment, which heats and converts natural feedstock into liquid then aluminium, has not yet arrived. Equipment to heat and convert natural feedstock into liquid

“We would still have to wait on the other pieces before construction can commence fully because that main piece of equipment has not yet arrived,” the Alutrint official said.

This is expected to arrive by next year, but some work is expected to begin with those pieces of equipment that are in Trinidad.