KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI) says it will continue to collaborate with its stakeholders to facilitate improved operation of the bauxite industry.

The JBI, in a release on Monday, said it expects to reach its goals by providing support in the form of research-driven advice to industry players and engaging in activities aimed at protecting bauxite lands from sterilisation.

Details of the engagements were outlined in the Jamaica Public Bodies Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year ending March 2025.

“Accordingly, during the 2024/25 financial year, the JBI will conduct research in a bid to develop an efficient procedure to treat with the processing of bauxite and extraction of commercial minerals, with the first publication of related documentation by March 2025,” the document stated.

It also informed that eight greenhouses that were built under the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) are to be repaired, while a water harvest project is to be implemented under REDI II.

“These projects aim to use idle lands to encourage entrepreneurship, particularly farming in bauxite communities,” the document also stated.

The JBI is also expected to partner with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining and other public-sector entities to continue the delivery of land titles to resettled residents. It is expected that the entity will deliver 70 titles during fiscal year 2024/25.

Additionally, the institute is seeking to boost proficiency in analysing all types of samples generated by the bauxite industry, including the local industrial minerals sector.

“To achieve the increased analytical capability targeted, the JBI plans to upgrade its laboratory with two testing methods, in accordance with ISO 17025,” the document indicated further.