IGF Mining Policy Framework Assessment: Jamaica

Jamaica has a range of commercially exploitable minerals, including metallic minerals (including bauxite and gold), non-metallic minerals, (clay, dolomite, gypsum, limestone, marble, sand and gravel, silica sand, volcanic rocks, and shale) and semi-precious minerals.

With the exception of the bauxite/alumina sector, most of Jamaica’s minerals are in the early stages of development. The sector accounts for approximately 2.2% of Jamaica’s GDP and employs around 6,000 workers, mostly Jamaicans.

For the mining sector to be a central pillar of Jamaica’s continued development as envisaged in its national development plan, Vision 2030, a strong legal and policy framework is required, one that maximizes the benefits accrued to the nation and to communities from the mining sector. This framework should promote investment while upholding strong environmental and social standards.

Mining can play a significant role in Jamaica’s long-term social and economic development: it can generate revenues for the government; create employment, skills development, and business opportunities for local
communities; provide the material inputs for infrastructure; and support investments in education, health, and clean technology.

At the request of the Government of Jamaica, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Mining, the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) is working to advance such policies and good governance practices in Jamaica through the use of its Mining Policy Framework (MPF).

This assessment report first presents Jamaica’s development, mining, and legal contexts. It then highlights the key strengths and gaps in Jamaica’s mining policies and laws across six thematic areas: Legal and Policy Environment, Financial Benefit Optimization, Socioeconomic Benefit Optimization, Environmental Management, the Post-Mining Transition, and Artisanal and Small-scale Mining, before making recommendations for further capacity building and reform.