The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, has reaffirmed the Jamaican Government’s commitment to revitalising the country’s bauxite and alumina sector, a long-standing contributor to the national economy despite years of contraction.
Photo credit: Dave Reid
At the Bauxite/Alumina Industry Day held at the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI) in Hope Gardens, St. Andrew, Minister Green emphasised the government’s intent to take a more hands-on approach in improving operational efficiency and drawing new investments into the industry.
“We are going to be looking at things like the quality of our ore that is left, what is happening across our bauxite companies with the ageing infrastructure, and the plans to invest to ensure that we can be more efficient in what we do,” the Minister stated.
Recent industry figures indicate a promising trend in 2024, Jamaica’s aluminium production rose by 4 per cent, reaching 1.337 million tonnes, up from 1.286 million tonnes in 2023. Additionally, the government collected around J$623 million (USD 4.05 million) in bauxite royalties during the 2024–2025 fiscal year, marking a significant increase from previous collections.
Minister Green also drew attention to the untapped potential of Jamaica’s red mud reserves, estimated to contain approximately 40 million tonnes of iron oxides and rare earth elements. He expressed optimism about moving from conversations to action in 2025 by identifying suitable investment partners.
“There must be a way and a partner that can capture those rare earth elements, extract it, and use it for the benefit of all our people,” he noted.
He further shared updates from recent engagements with major industry players, including Jamalco, Windalco and Discovery Partners. These companies outlined strategies for infrastructure development, haul road upgrades and enhanced energy systems designed to elevate operational output.
Echoing the Minister’s vision, JBI General Manager Andre Lindsay announced the Institute’s renewed focus on scientific research, particularly in the extraction of rare earth elements from bauxite residue. He confirmed that the JBI would emphasise data collection and analysis during the current fiscal year to support future investment efforts.
The Bauxite/Alumina Industry Day took place under the theme “The Future of Bauxite”. It concluded National Minerals Week, which ran from May 25 to May 30 under the broader theme “Minerals for National Development.”
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