The National Minerals Policy: Fostering Sustainability in Jamaica's Minerals Industry.

This Policy moves from the consideration that the minerals sector represents a critical component of the country’s national development, because mining and quarrying, and its related products play a central role in several activities, including: food preservation, animal feed, medicines, water treatment, soil stabilisation, public sanitation, pollution control. Thus, this Policy focuses on the increasing of profits and employment in the mining sector, in order to reduce both unregulated mineral exploitation, and poverty. The vision of the Policy aims at achieving a modern, diversified and efficient minerals industry which protects environmental integrity and socio-cultural values, uses the mineral resources of Jamaica sustainably to contribute to the long-term economic and social development of the nation, is driven by private sector investment, develops itself in harmony with other uses of land resources. Concerning its strategic direction, the Policy defines the following goals: a well-managed minerals sector that uses its mineral resources in a sustainable manner for long-term economic development and international competitiveness; enabling investments and growth, through a strong institutional framework; a sustainable and responsible minerals sector ensuring protection of the environment and of the health and safety of communities and workers; increasing research and development in the sector.