National Minerals Policy to be Submitted to Cabinet

Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Mike Henry, says Cabinet is to receive a submission shortly on the National Minerals Policy (NMP) for the management and development of Jamaica’s mineral resources.

He noted that the draft document focuses on the sector’s diversification and continued growth.

“It is proactive, flexible and visionary. It brings together the elements that have guided the country’s mineral-related laws, agreements and actions to date,” he added.

Mr. Henry, who was addressing a press briefing at his Maxfield Avenue offices on Tuesday (November 14), said the NMP recognises that a modern and vibrant minerals sector must be based on robust and efficient institutions as well as profitable industries.

He said the document introduces new policy initiatives and is designed to effectively address the challenges of small island states participating in a competitive global minerals sector.

“The NMP places emphasis on partnership between the public and the private sectors; outlines the possible benefits of the structured development of the minerals sector to the Jamaican people; and the mix of policy measures, objectives and strategies to be pursued in order to realise the sector’s continued transformation and optimal development,” Mr. Henry said.

He noted that the new policy embraces sustainable development and creates a balance between complex competing interests and the goals of the national development policy, Vision 2030.

“This will allow us to take advantage of other mineral resources, particularly through the development of value-added products, the mining and quarrying sector plan and other significant national polices. Importantly, the policy considers environmental issues, which are infused in the strategies to transform the sector,” he noted further.

The draft NMP is divided into three segments: Jamaica’s minerals sector, the minerals/mining policy framework, and moving forward.

The segment on Jamaica’s minerals sector provides background information, a profile of the local minerals industry and an outline of the context within which the policy is crafted and focused.

The minerals/mining policy framework sets out the key policy issues, positions, goals and outcomes. This section also outlines the strategies that will be utilised to achieve the desired outcomes; addresses the proposed legislative changes and the various agencies responsible for implementing different aspects of the NMP.

On moving forward, this segment outlines the implementation framework, including the proposed changes to existing entities and the new bodies that need to be created to allow for its successful implementation.

The segment also addresses how the successes of the policy will be evaluated and the monitoring framework.