P.S. Says New Act Will Facilitate Development of Modern Minerals Industry

The Ministry of Mining and Telecommunications is to introduce a Minerals Development Act, aimed at creating a modern, diversified and efficient minerals industry, as well as protect the environment and add value to the economy.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Marcia Forbes, said that the ministry is working assiduously, to formulate the Act which will provide a forward-looking legislative framework for the mining industry.
She was speaking at the Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI)/Export-Import Bank National Minerals Week power breakfast, at the Terra Nova Hotel, Kingston, on Tuesday (Feb. 17).
She described the proposed Act as a major element of the (National Minerals) policy.
“At the end of the day, we don’t just want a policy, we want to end up with an Act that will serve the industry. The intention is to provide the levelling of the playing field, that will allow for the growth of all aspects of the industry, so we are not just focusing on bauxite and alumina,” she explained.
The draft National Minerals Policy, which is to be submitted to Cabinet, has been subjected to wide consultations within the industry public sector. The vision of the policy, she said, is to create a modern, diversified, efficient, and attractive minerals industry that: protects environmental integrity and socio-cultural values; add significant value to the economy.
The policy will also see to an industry largely based on the manufacturing and export of value-added products, with strong and properly structured institutions that co-exist with competing interests in the wider economy.
Among the broad goals of the policy are an industry in which current investments are safeguarded; and one in which new investments are attracted and benefits are maximised in the interest of companies, local communities, and the economy.
Other goals include: the creation of a minerals industry that contributes to sustainable national development, through effective management of mineral resources and mineral bearing lands, from the pre-mining to post mining stage; and an industry that exemplifies environmental best practices. Furthermore, the Ministry will seek to enhance the industry’s regional and international competitiveness, the Permanent Secretary stated.
She stressed also that, “we want to regulate the industry to ensure the effective management of the environment and the promotion of and adherence to best practices, in health and safety standards.”
The event included a presentation on limestone as the future of the mining industry; and panel discussion on investment opportunities in Jamaica’s minerals industry, moderated by Senior Director of Policy, Planning, and Development Division in the Ministry. Panelists included, Minister of State, Laurence Broderick, Director of PowerGen Limited, Norman Davis, Manager of Trade Finance and Risk Management at the Export Import Bank of Jamaica, Valerie Crawford; and Managing Director of Conrad Douglas and Associates Limited, Dr. Conrad Douglas.