Minister of State in the Ministry of Energy and Mining, Hon. Laurence Broderick, has lauded the safety record of the local mining industry.
Speaking at the National Minerals Industry Safety Awards banquet, recently at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites in Kingston, Mr. Broderick pinpointed the work ethnic in the sector in terms of discipline and safety.
He said that, visiting bauxite plants, he observed the respect that the heads of the companies had for security and safety.
“Not only were we given a thorough lecture, we were given the boots, the hat, the goggles,” the State Minister reflected. He said he was also impressed with the fact that the management also practised the safety measures outlined to visitors.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Energy and Mining, Hon. Laurence Broderick (left), in discussion with Executive Director of the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI), Mr. Parris Lyew-Ayee, prior to the start of the National Minerals Industry Safety Awards banquet, held recently at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites, in Kingston.

He praised the industry for having kept a low injury index and few deaths, noting that the safety practices employed were models that should be promoted.
He suggested that tours be arranged for children, to enlighten them on how a disciplined entity operates and how they should conduct themselves.
On the status of the bauxite/alumina industry, Mr. Broderick said that despite the downturn, there will be opportunities for Jamaicans, as the Government seeks new markets and forge new partnerships when the industry rebounds.
“As we look down the road, we see an industry that saw alumina plummeting to a low of some US$1,200 per tonne, we saw it creeping back to US$2,000, we know it came from a high of US$3,000 but, if we are thinking people, we will understand that we are not far from the horizon,” he projected.