Government in discussions with potential investors

The government is holding discussions with a group of potential investors from the United States.



Minister of Mining and Telecommunications Derrick Smith says the investors have expressed an interest in mining, and exporting minerals from Jamaica.



In an interview with the JIS News, Mr. Smith said an initial meeting has taken place with the investors, who are looking at three locations in Jamaica to do mining of limestone and aggregate.



Mr. Smith did not divulge details of the discussions.



With bauxite alumina now experiencing a downturn on the world market, the government has intensified its call for diversification in mining, with particular emphasis on limestone.



Only recently the Ministry drafted the country\'s first National Minerals Policy.



It points to Jamaica\'s wide range of commercially exploitable minerals, including a wide variety of limestones, hard volcanic rocks, bauxite, marble, base and precious metals, among others.