Mining and quarrying grow 7.5% to boost Jamaican Economy

Mining and quarrying saw the most growth of all sectors in the economy during the July to September quarter of 2011, with an increase of 7.5 per cent.

This growth contributed to the economy growing by 0.5 per cent for the quarter under review. It is also projected that the economy will grow by between 1 per cent and 2 per cent for the October to December quarter.

Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Gladstone Hutchinson, explained that the growth in the mining and quarrying industry largely reflected the continued impact of the re-opening of the Windalco Ewarton alumina plant, and increased bauxite production by Noranda Bauxite Company, facilitated by increased global demand.