Team from Czech Republic Evaluating Quarry Operations

The Government is determined to ensure that mining operations at quarries are carried out in a sustainable manner. A team of experts from the Czech Republic are in the island evaluating quarries and will submit a report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands.
State Minister in the Ministry, Victor Cummings made this announcement on March 7 while addressing a community development stakeholders meeting, held at the Morant Villas Hotel in Morant Bay, St. Thomas. The meeting was held to discuss a Development Plan for St. Thomas and to look at issues such as the development of tourism and the diversification of agriculture in the parish.
Mr. Cummings pointed out that the Czech team was asked to examine how Jamaica could improve its mining and quarrying operations and to develop plans for maximum efficiency.
“We’re developing a plan for our quarries where we’re going to show people that you can mine in such a manner that it is attractive and sustainable, so that when you finish with the mining, you can reclaim it and turn it into a beautiful tourist attraction, or whatever else that you choose,” he said.
The State Minister pointed out that the findings would be made available to the Parish Council, the Parish Development Committee and the residents.
Mr. Cummings, who has responsibility for the mining sector, said that on an official visit to the Czech Republic in November last year, he was exposed to the many ways in which mined out quarries could be used.
“They have turned some of their quarries that are no longer being used into tourist attractions . and these are some of the same things that we would like to do here,” he said.