Jamaica Can Earn US$7 Billion Annually From Limestone Industry

One of Jamaica’s leading researchers says that the country can earn up to US$7 billion annually by ramping up the production of limestone and its high value-added items for the local and export markets.

Executive Chairman of Conrad Douglas and Associates, Dr. Conrad Douglas, in presenting research findings at a recent stakeholder symposium at JAMPRO’s New Kingston office, says that the industry offers vast opportunity for investors in agriculture, food processing, and manufacturing.

He cited the production of paper, polishes, paints, rubber, glass, cosmetics, plastics and adhesives.

“There are great opportunities…what we found was really large. We are talking about total cumulative value for the markets of some US$7 billion,” he stated.

According to Dr. Douglas, Jamaica is blessed with rich limestone resources and is considered as the limestone capital of the world. The country’s limestone resource is estimated 150 billion tonnes of which 50 billion tonnes is recoverable. The main export markets for limestone are Canada, United States, CARICOM, and South America.

“Jamaican limestone is occurring naturally, we have been producing it, and we have been exporting it, and it has found acceptance in the international markets. We have pharmaceutical limestone, we have chemical limestone, and we also have metallurgical limestone (use primarily in the bauxite industry). Limestone has the most diverse end-use structure of all material known by mankind. That, in itself, presents a wide range of opportunities,” Dr. Douglas stated.

He noted, however, that there is need to focus on the production of high value-added products to drive the industry for the future. “We believe that there is opportunity, as found from the study, to ramp-up production to a greater level,” he said.

Dr. Douglas said that currently, Jamaica imports limestone products that can be manufactured locally, and some 10 plants across the island can be “ramped-up easily” for the production of these value-added items.

He pointed out, however, that for the development of the sector, a number of legislation relating to planning and development orders need to be amended.

He noted also that “great reliance” will have to be placed on scientists in the development of the industry.

“It means that we have to apply best sciences, and the best technology, and the best environment management practices to embark on a path of sustainable development  and the use of creative conservation technologies, which now exist for the rehabilitation of those areas, which we might extract this resource from,” he stated.

Dr. Douglas’s team is to conduct two other studies on the limestone industry, one looking at the required investment for the sector, while the other will explore technical and environmental plans for the companies involved in the industry.

Principal Director in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Dr. Oral Rainford, in his presentation at the symposium, spoke about the employment potential of the limestone sector.

“Jamaica has the possibility of becoming the centre of the limestone business in this section of the world. We are speaking of the aggregate, we are speaking of the value-added, and all the business associated with limestone,” he said.

He said that the Ministry is seeking to integrate the sector into the wider economy.

“We are going to see that a large number of products can be generated from these resources, a large number of jobs can be created, and the wealth that ought to flow from these resources will begin to appear,” Dr. Rainford stated.

In her remarks, State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abraham, urged investors and persons already in the limestone business, to “grasp, with both hands, the opportunities that can be realised from developing the value-added products that can be derived from limestone, for our economic benefit.”

President of JAMPRO, Diane Edwards, said her agency will create partnerships to develop the sector. “What excites us is the potential to create value-added limestone production…it is timely now to start that development process”.

“We are committed to partnering with the private sector to develop these industries, and for new markets, to look for new value-added products, and new development,” Miss Edwards said.