Greetings by Honourable Derrick Smith, MP

Minister of Mining and Telecommunications
National Church Service,

National Minerals Week 2009

Sunday, 15th February, 2009
Webster Memorial United Church
Kingston

[Salutations]

I feel very honoured to be worshipping with you today at the start of National Minerals Week 2009. I hasten to remind you that the inaugural church service highlighting the importance of the Minerals Industry to our economy was celebrated at this church in June 2006.

As you might be aware, this is my first opportunity since assuming the responsibility as Minister of Mining and Telecommunications to worship with members of the mining industry. I recognise representatives of the Bauxite and Alumina Sector, the Industrial Minerals Sector (known generally as the Quarrying Sector), producers and distributors of value-added mineral products and providers of various services to the industry. It is encouraging to see representation from the many segments of the industry, the mainly private sector-based Mining and Quarrying Association of Jamaica and from different agencies of the Ministry.

Minerals and the products derived from them play a central role in modern society, and have played a pivotal role in the transformation of human civilisation. This beautiful building, our homes and other facilities made primarily from concrete and steel, vehicles, roads, jewellery, household utensils and appliances, paints, mirrors, glass, Portland cement, grout and thin-set, industrial lime, ground calcium carbonate, clay, sand and gravel, ready-mix concrete, marl, construction blocks, marble tiles and slabs and many other products, including some which we use as medicines and food additives, are all derived from minerals.

The Economic and Social Survey Jamaica 2007, credits the Minerals Industry with 5.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). For the 2008 calendar year, the industry earned over US$1.3 billion.

As we worship this morning and celebrate the beginning of National Minerals Week 2009, let us pay careful attention to this year’s theme - ‘Minerals and Development: Modernizing the Minerals Industry, Meeting the Global Challenge.’ Given the unfolding fragility of the global economy, this theme is very timely and expresses the concerns not only of the Government, but of the entire industry.

You are all particularly aware of the tenacious situation in the Bauxite and Alumina Sector, which has resulted in social dislocation and is likely to have a dampening effect on the economy. The impacts of this scenario will remain with us for several months. Despite these challenges, we as a Government and as an industry will take the necessary steps to cushion the impacts while simultaneously seeking to diversify the industry.

I am particularly drawn to the notion of the need to modernize the industry. It is our intention to accelerate this endeavour, which will result in this pillar of our economy becoming more diversified so as to safeguard and increase its contribution to national sustainable development.

I invite you all to participate in the various activities marking this important week. At the minimum, I expect to see you at the Minerals Industry Trade Show and Exhibition at the Jamaica Conference Centre on Friday and Saturday, February 20 and 21, 2009.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am committed to the industry’s growth and modernization. It must continue to diversify and you are assured that I will introduce the necessary policies to accelerate and to achieve this goal.

Thank you.