UC Rusal moves to recover alumina after Bog Walk Gorge train derailment
Published:Tuesday | August 12, 2025 | 3:00 PM
Workmen from UC Rusal, the operator of the Windalco bauxite plant in Ewarton, St Catherine, are racing to repair a section of the train track in the Bog Walk Gorge to allow the company access to the three rail cars that derailed on Saturday and plunged into the Rio Cobre.
Human Resource Director Glendon Johnson told The Gleaner,which visited the location, that the repairs aim to restore the track to accommodate vehicles that will be used to extract alumina from the partially submerged cars before efforts are made to remove them.
He said a UC Rusal investigative team is probing the cause of the derailment, but no completion date has been set.
Residents living near the crash site have expressed concern about the maintenance of the track.
The Jamaica Railway Corporation, in 2022, rolled out train service for students using the same rail track.
The derailment occurred at the entrance of the rail tunnel in the gorge.
The train left the tracks, derailing three cars and damaging a utility pole.
No injuries were reported.
The incident led to the temporary closure of the gorge, causing significant traffic delays and power outages in several communities.
Reacting to the incident, Mining Minister Floyd Green has directed the Jamaica Bauxite Institute and the Mining Division to conduct a joint probe to determine the causes and recommend safety improvements.
“We are committed to a full and transparent investigation and will implement measures to prevent future incidents,” Green said.
He added that the Ministry will monitor the situation closely, support remediation efforts, and promptly share findings and recommendations when available.
- Ruddy Mathison
Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.