Mining, like many other sectors, is critical to a nation’s
growth and development and like the other sectors depend
upon transportation. Without adequate infrastructure to
facilitate the movement of people and goods, economic and
social benefits will be limited. Although there had been
attempts for over a century to establish small-scale mining in
Jamaica, the present well-established mineral industry of
Jamaica only dates back to 1952 when the export of kiln dried
metallurgical bauxite ore was started. This was shortly
followed by the export of alumina. The birth of this new
industry was the result of a successful exploration and
development programme. Jamaica's mineral industry is
mainly based on bauxite but it also includes industrial
minerals such as gypsum, marble, silica sand and clays,
besides a thriving sand and gravel industry. The mission of
the Transport portfolio of the Ministry is to provide safe and
sustainable transport systems for the movement of people
and goods. This is to be undertaken in the three modes of
transportation, these being, land, sea and air.
