JAMAICA · MINING AND ECONOMY
Key Facts
- What is happening Prime Minister Andrew Holness created a Ministry of Mining and Geology under Floyd Green on 2 November and gave it four priorities, from a new royalty regime to selling state alumina stakes.
- Why it matters Mining and quarrying output fell 26.1% in April to June as Jamaica’s economy shrank 2.9%, months after Hurricane Melissa struck in October 2025.
- The numbers The ministry must submit a plan within 30 days and report to the Prime Minister after 90 days, then every quarter, plus an annual sector report.
- Who is who Floyd Green is minister and keeps policy oversight of agriculture and fisheries; Darlene Morrison, formerly the Finance Ministry’s financial secretary, becomes the new ministry’s permanent secretary.
- What to watch The 30-day plan due in early December, the opposition’s questions over Morrison’s move, and any buyer or terms for the state’s alumina stakes.
- What it means for you US investors in bauxite, alumina and critical minerals should watch the royalty and tax proposals; US travellers face no change from the new ministry.
Jamaica has created a Ministry of Mining and Geology and set it four priorities. They include leading the state’s exit from two alumina interests.
Jamaica has created a Ministry of Mining and Geology, led by Floyd Green, to steady a bauxite industry hit by falling output. Prime Minister Andrew Holness set the Jamaica mining ministry four priorities in a letter made public on Monday, 2 November.
That matters to US readers because alumina, refined from bauxite, is the raw material for aluminium. The plan also covers a royalty and tax review and a critical minerals strategy.
The Four Priorities
- Earn more from minerals. A royalty and tax regime, limestone products and a critical minerals strategy.
- Build geological knowledge. A Jamaica Minerals Institute and a national mineral assessment.
- Protect communities and land. Rules for rivers, neighbours and the restoration of mined land.
- Exit state alumina interests. Lead the sale of stakes in Clarendon Alumina Production and Jamalco.
The first priority is to earn more from minerals, including a royalty and tax regime drawn up with the Finance Ministry. It also covers a limestone value-addition programme and a critical minerals strategy.
That strategy would test whether valuable minerals can be recovered commercially from bauxite and its residues. Residues are the waste left after bauxite is refined into alumina.
The second priority is geological knowledge, starting with a plan to turn the Jamaica Bauxite Institute into a Jamaica Minerals Institute. A national mineral assessment would start with limestone and aggregates, then examine gold, copper and rare earths where evidence supports it.
The third priority protects communities, rivers and mined land, with land-use plans before extraction and money set aside for restoration. The minister must also act on the Auditor General’s recommendations.
The fourth priority is to lead the exit from Clarendon Alumina Production Limited and the state’s share in Jamalco, an alumina refinery. The aim is to cut taxpayers’ exposure to operating losses and capital calls, meaning owners’ demands for more money.
The Finance Ministry and the Attorney General’s Chambers will help prepare a sale strategy for Cabinet. It must rest on independent valuation and legal due diligence.
Why the Industry Needs Help
Holness wrote that declining grades in accessible reserves, energy costs and ageing infrastructure are weighing on bauxite and alumina. Local reports of the statistics office release put the fall in mining and quarrying at 26.1% in April to June.
The Statistical Institute of Jamaica put the whole economy’s contraction at 2.9%, after Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. Rio Times covered the figures in Jamaica Economy Shrinks 2.9% in April-June 2026.
The letter also ties geology to rebuilding, asking for hazard assessments before housing sites and roads are settled. Limestone ground that may give way is a particular concern.
Questions Over the New Permanent Secretary
Darlene Morrison, until now the Finance Ministry’s financial secretary, becomes permanent secretary of the new ministry from Monday, 2 November. Lorris Jarrett, previously a deputy financial secretary, succeeds her at Finance.
The financial secretary is the ministry’s top civil servant and central to the budget. The opposition People’s National Party called the move a demotion made without charge or hearing and asked for the reasons.
Its finance spokesman, Julian Robinson, also questioned the cost of another ministry while the government urges restraint. These are the opposition’s views, and the government had not responded in the coverage found.
The Finance Ministry’s staff notice thanked Morrison for her leadership and stewardship. No government explanation of the move had been published in the coverage found.
What It Means for You
US investors in bauxite, alumina and critical minerals should watch the royalty and tax proposals, which would change the state’s take. A sale of state alumina stakes could also open the door to buyers.
Travellers are not directly affected by the new ministry. Related reading includes Who Runs Jamaica’s Economy and Foreign Powers and Investors in Jamaica.
More background is in Jamaica Politics Explained and Jamaica Had Spent 1.8% of Melissa Donations. Both help explain the pressure on public finances.
What Is Not Known
The published letter gives no royalty rate, budget or sale price, so what the state could raise from its stakes is unknown. No buyer has been named.
The government has not explained why Morrison was moved, and the opposition’s questions remain unanswered. One report quoting former officials says her pay is unchanged, which is unconfirmed.
The text of the Prime Minister’s letter was not found on the Office of the Prime Minister website on Tuesday. Its contents here come from news reports that agree on the four priorities, deadlines and wording.
What Comes Next
The ministry must submit its plan within 30 days, which falls in early December, and report to Holness after 90 days. It will then report every quarter and give an annual report on sector performance and investment.
The priorities are directions, not decisions: no royalty change, new institute or stake sale has been approved. The letter requires proposals and strategies to go to Cabinet first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jamaica’s new Ministry of Mining and Geology?
It is a dedicated ministry created by Prime Minister Andrew Holness and headed by Floyd Green. It handles minerals policy and geological information for land-use and rebuilding decisions.
What are the four priorities?
Earn more from minerals, build geological knowledge, protect communities and mined land, and exit Clarendon Alumina Production and Jamalco. A plan is due within 30 days.
Why is Jamaica’s mining industry under pressure?
The prime minister cites falling ore grades, energy costs and ageing plants. Mining and quarrying output fell 26.1% in April to June.
Why was the financial secretary moved?
The government has not given a reason in the coverage found. The opposition calls it a demotion and has asked for an explanation.
Sources: Office of the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Prime Minister Holness’s letter to the Minister of Mining and Geology, 2 November 2026 (text not found on the site; contents confirmed by news reports); Statistical Institute of Jamaica, GDP growth of -2.9% for April-June 2026; the 26.1% mining figure is from local reports of that release; Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, staff notice on the financial secretary (31 October 2026); Jamalco, company background (all accessed 3 November 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief