Jamaica Celebrates National Minerals Week, February 15-21

The Ministry of Mining and Telecommunications has organised a number of activities in observance of National Minerals Week in Jamaica, February 15-21.
These activities will be held in keeping with the theme for the week, ‘Modernising the Minerals Industry Meeting the Global Challenge.’ Highlights include a ceremonial launch at the Jamaica Conference Centre, by Minister of Mining & Telecommunications, Derrick Smith.
Speaking at the JIS ‘Think Tank’ yesterday (February 5), Senior Director of Policy Planning & Development in the Ministry of Mining and Telecommunications, Oral Rainford, rationalised the week’s activities.
“The official opening,” he said, “will be part of a seminar on equipment management in minerals operations, intended to offer professional guidance on the effective management of heavy equipment.”
The seminar will offer valuable information for mining and other operations, including construction, engineering and agribusiness, as well as the operation of conveyor belt systems.
Mr. Rainford said the seminar presenters would include experts from Caterpillar International, as most heavy equipment used in Jamaica is supplied by Caterpillar.
Another of the week’s activities involves discussions led by minerals consultant, Norman Davis, and Jamaica Bauxite Institute board member, Dennis Morrison. They will share with participants, investment opportunities in industrial mining. These will include mining of limestone, shale, gypsum and pozzolon (a volcanic-type building material), some of which are used in construction, manufacture of cement and in road building.
Mr. Rainford explained that there was a great demand for these materials both locally and overseas, but Jamaica was producing below capacity.
National Minerals Week ends with a trade show and exhibition at the Jamaica Conference Centre. This event will be free of cost to the public and should appeal to students, shoppers, business people and the entire family.
Other activities include, public discussions and field trips to sites and quarries, which are free of cost.
Mr. Rainford said the Ministry staged a successful week of activities, last year, to raise awareness about the potential of minerals and their value-added products as viable investment opportunities. They expect that Minerals Week 2009 will build on this.
Persons should contact the Ministry of Mining and Telecommunications for further details. More information will be made available in the press.