Mining Matters App Will Strengthen Gov’t Oversight of Sector

Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Franklin Witter, says the new Mining Matters mobile application (app) will help to strengthen the Ministry’s management of the mining sector.

He noted that the development of the app, which allows residents to report concerns about mining operations in real time, was in recognition of the key role that community members play as stakeholders in the oversight process.

“This mobile application is part of a wider effort by the Ministry to modernise the mining sector and place people at the centre of development,” he added.

Mr. Witter, who was addressing the recent launch of the app at the Wembley Centre of Excellence in Clarendon, said that for many Jamaicans, mining and quarrying operations are located close to their homes, along their roads, and within their communities.

As such, he said that the app was created to give people a simple, direct, and reliable way to raise concerns, share information, and “stay informed about what is happening in their space”.

“We strongly believe that this application will provide a mechanism that is critical in enabling you to provide us with information that will help you and others to make timely and necessary interventions regarding concerns you may raise about the operations of our various mining and quarrying entities,” he pointed out.

“It removes barriers and replaces frustration with a clear communication process and real accountability. It will enable residents to report issues in real time, including uploading photos to the authorities, and to follow what happens next. Just as importantly, it assures fellow citizens and guests that their concerns are not disappearing into a system, but are being logged, tracked, and addressed. That level of transparency builds trust, which is essential if mining is to be sustainable and socially responsible,” he added.

Mr. Witter underscored that the app will strengthen governance by assisting regulators to be more efficient in carrying out their duties, improve response times and ensure that issues are handled in a structured and fair manner.

He said it will also support responsible operators by ensuring that concerns are addressed based on facts and evidence, not rumours or confusion.

Mr. Witter encouraged community members, mining and quarry operators, truckers, and other stakeholders to download the app.

“Use it responsibly. See it as a shared tool for problem-solving and partnership,” he said.