KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Mining and Geology, Floyd Green, has hit the ground running at the newly-created Ministry of Mining and Geology as he looks to carry out the prime minister’s mandate to transform Jamaica’s mining sector.

In a press release Monday, Green said he had convened a high-level meeting of the new ministry to begin implementation of the new economic direction set by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness for Jamaica’s mining and geology sector.

The meeting brought together Permanent Secretary (PS) Darlene Morrison; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dermon Spence; senior officials; heads of agencies; and heads of divisions. It also served to formally welcome Morrison to the new ministry and align the leadership around the prime minister’s mandate.

Commenting on the four priority areas he has been assigned, Green said, “Together, the priorities are intended to secure greater value for Jamaicans from the country’s mineral resources, strengthen the use of geological information in national development and reduce the state’s exposure to continuing commercial losses.”

Green welcomed Morrison to the ministry, noting that her extensive experience in fiscal policy, economic management and the public service will be particularly valuable as the ministry takes forward its new economic mandate.

“We are very pleased to welcome Permanent Secretary Morrison at what is an important point for the sector. There is a significant programme of work ahead of us and her experience will be an asset as we build out this new ministry and move quickly to deliver on the mandate that has been set,” Green said.

He said the establishment of a dedicated ministry presents an opportunity to reposition a sector which, for generations, has been largely associated with bauxite and alumina.

“This is a reorientation of how we approach mining and geology in Jamaica. Bauxite and alumina remain extremely important, but Jamaica’s mineral wealth extends well beyond those traditional areas. We have limestone and industrial minerals, gold and copper prospects, rare earth elements and other critical minerals that require greater exploration, stronger technical capacity and a deliberate strategy to determine how Jamaica can derive greater value from them,” said Green.

He said particular attention will continue to be placed on the bauxite and alumina industry, including engagement with Alpart, Jamalco, Windalco and Discovery Bauxite Partners.

“The ministry’s work with the industry will examine the protection of viable mining reserves, energy costs, logistics, residue management, technology, downstream value and opportunities for critical-mineral recovery,” he said.