The Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI) is a recognized repository of information on bauxite and alumina, and enjoys a solid reputation for research and analysis of data and trends in the industry. The existence of the JBI puts Jamaica in the position of being one of the few developing countries with an institution devoted solely to the research and development of one of its prime mineral resources.

After the completion of the bauxite levy negotiations in 1974, it was noted that the absence of an organization to monitor, evaluate and conduct research on the bauxite/alumina industry and to protect the interest of the Jamaican Government in the industry, was a major weakness on the Government’s side.

In order to address this imbalance, three institutions were created: the JBI, Jamaica Bauxite Mining Ltd. (JBM) and the Bauxite and Alumina Trading Company (BATCO). Established in 1976 as an arm of the Jamaica National Investment Company, JBI’s role was to deal mainly with the sovereign aspects of the Government’s participation in the industry. It was also to give technical support to the other two institutions.

At present, Jamaica has one bauxite company, Kaiser Jamaica Bauxite Company, and three refining operations, JAMALCAN, JAMALCO and ALPART. In 1985, the government acquired all the local assets of Reynolds, which had folded its operations in 1984. ALPART closed its plant in 1985, and reopened it in 1988 under a joint-venture arrangement, with Kaiser holding 65 per cent of the equity and Hydro Aluminium, a major Norwegian company, owning 35 per cent. The following table summarizes the present structure of ownership of the Jamaican bauxite and alumina companies:

ROLE & FUNCTION

The Jamaica Bauxite Institute was established to, inter alia:

1. monitor and study the aluminium industry and provide technical advice on, and personnel for, the negotiations of various agreements;
   
2. undertake research and development activities on various problems related to the processing of Jamaican bauxite;
   
3. continually assess and ensure rationalization in the use of Jamaica’s bauxite reserves and (bauxite) lands; and
   
4. monitor and make recommendations to ensure adequate pollution controls and other environmental programmes in the industry.
   
   In addition, the Jamaica Bauxite Institute has diversified its laboratory to analyze not only bauxite, its products and by-products, but also a range of industrial and agricultural materials.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Hon. Carlton Davis, O.J., C.D., Ph.D. (Chairman)

Mr. Parris A. Lyew-Ayee, O.D. (General Manager)

Mr. Erwin Angus, C.D., J.P.

Mr. Norman DaCosta

Mrs. Las Davis

Mrs. Ceceline Lewars

Mr. Luther Spence

Mr. Roydell Williams

Mr. Steadman McKay, O.D. (Secretary)

PRINCIPAL OFFICERS

Mr. Parris A. Lyew-Ayee, O.D., General Manager & Snr. Director - Bauxite Reserves

Mr. Dennis Morrison, Snr. Director - Economics & Projects

Mr. Steadman McKay, O.D., Director - Administration

Mr. Wilmon Wallen-Bryan, Director - Analytical Services

Mr. Worrell Lyew-You, Director - Process Monitoring & Services

Mrs. Dianne Gordon, Director - Bauxite Lands

Research and Development is carried on by the Analytical Services and the Process Monitoring and Services divisions. The Economics and Projects Division deals with project evaluation, market analysis and economic projections. The Bauxite Reserves Division manages bauxite exploration, reserves allocation, bauxite lands and environmental matters. Administration is concerned with personnel, accounting and office administration.

The JBI has, from the earliest days, viewed the publishing of research and data otherwise derived as important. To this end it has published two books on the local industry by Dr. Carlton Davis as well as including its own JBI Journal which, although having a small circulation, is read in 16 countries.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY STATEMENT

The JBI is committed to the sustainable development of the bauxite/alumina industry while ensuring the protection of the environment for the greatest benefit of the Jamaican people.

The Institute works in collaboration with other agencies, and is proactive in attaining compatibility between the industry's operations (processes, activities and products) and the environment by:

1. ensuring that the operations are conducted with minimal or no adverse impact on the environment;
   
2. ensuring compliance with all local standards and regulations through maintaining a regular and effective monitoring programme;
   
3. conducting regular reviews on the environmental performance of the industry and instituting the necessary corrective actions;
   
4. promoting research and development aimed at identifying new technologies for a cleaner, more efficient production process and waste minimization;
   
5. fostering and maintaining a harmonious relationship with communities in the vicinity of bauxite/alumina operations.

FUNCTIONS OF THE JBI ENVIRONMENT UNIT

The JBI has always been intimately involved in ensuring that sound environmental standards are developed and maintained within the bauxite/alumina industry. With the passing of the Natural Resources Conservation Act in 1991, all agencies concerned with environmental issues are required to consult the National Environment and Planning Agency - formerly the National Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) - before making any determination in respect of matters for which they have responsibility.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the JBI and the NRCA in April 1994, which acknowledged the role played by the JBI, and delegated to the JBI responsibility for the environmental management of the bauxite/alumina industry, and the mitigation of the impact of the local industry on the environment. The JBI mandate now includes:

• Pollution control.
  
• Environmental monitoring and reporting.
  
• Assessment of new plants expansion or modification of existing plants, introduction of new process technology, and waste disposal.
  
• Investigation of spills and accidents.
  
• Community relations and public education.

The JBI Environmental Monitoring Programme includes:

• Independent sampling of total suspended particulate (TSP).
  
• Verification checks of pH and sodium concentration at various water quality monitoring points agreed to by the Water Resources Authority.
  
• Regular site visits to bauxite mines, alumina plants and port facilities.
  
• Quarterly and annual environmental reviews of all bauxite/alumina operations.
  
• Review of environmental monitoring data submitted by the bauxite/alumina companies and making recommendations for improvement.

The Unit is also actively involved in the formulation of national standards and regulations through its participation in NEPA Standards Sub-Committees.


SERVICES RESEARCH – BAUXITE LANDS DIVISION

Research is a major function of the Jamaica Bauxite Institute. The research capability of the Bauxite Lands Division of the Jamaica Bauxite Institute is generally one of the less publicized functions of the Institute. Research is undertaken into a wide range of subjects pertaining to bauxite property management, agricultural development of reclaimed lands, agronomic assessments, needs assessment for project development as well as socio-economic research of communities within mining areas. Research is undertaken with a view to better plan for present and future development of communities within mining areas, as well as to assist the bauxite companies with social and economic descriptions of communities to be mined. The focus to date of research of the Bauxite Lands Division is on the assessment of present agricultural land utilization and agricultural productivity of lands in bauxite lease areas in Jamaica.

EXPLORATION

The JBI conducts exploration programmes in an effort to expand the database of knowledge about Jamaica's bauxites. Work is carried out, usually in conjunction with the bauxite/alumina companies, in order to establish the quality and quantity of bauxite deposits in a particular area of interest. This includes surveying/mapping of deposits, drilling and collection of samples at specified intervals, chemical analyses, and the production of maps and reports pertaining to the particular area. The broad objective is to characterize the nature of Jamaican bauxite deposits, which in many ways are unique in the world, and to facilitate further development of the resource by the industry.

LABORATORY SERVICES

Our laboratory services include:

• Xray spectrometric analysis of bauxite, red mud, limestone, silica sand and glass.
  
• Mineral identification, which involves the identification of major and minor mineral (crystalline) components in heterogeneous powdered inorganic matrices by X-ray diffractometry, e.g., bauxite, red mud, asbestos, rocks.
  
• Gypsum analyses - analysis of calcium sulphate deposits for percent : gypsum, anhydrite, combined water, free moisture, SO3, CaO, MgO, SiO2.
  
• Bayer processability testing.
  
• Predesilication tests - to establish optimum conditions for predesilication of bauxite.
  
• Digestibility tests - to establish the target ratio for maximum extraction efficiency at a given caustic concentration.
  
• Bomb digests - analyze bauxite for available alumina, reactive SiO2 and soluble P2O5 under gibbsitic (140 C) or boehmitic (230C) digestion conditions.
  
• Settling tests - to establish the settling rates of digester blow-off slurry for set flocculant dosages.

BAUXITE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (BCDP)

Bauxite mining has taken place in Jamaica for close to sixty years, with significant benefits to the economy as reflected in the level of its contribution to the island's export earnings, inflows of foreign direct investment and government revenues. Despite the obvious benefits to the national economy and to the affected communities, the Government recognized the insufficiency of direct reinvestment from the gains of the industry in the communities located close to mining and refining operations.

Appreciating the socio-economic impact of the industry on people who live in communities adjoining the bauxite/alumina operations, and realizing the need to ensure future sustainable existence for these people, the Government of Jamaica, by a landmark Cabinet decision in 1996, established the Bauxite Community Development Programme (BCDP), and designated the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI) the agency responsible for its management.

The main goals of the BCDP are to:

1. reinvest earnings from the bauxite/alumina industry in the communities located close to mining operations;
   
2. implement long-term sustainable projects to generate income and employment;
   
3. improve the social and physical infrastructure in mining communities; and
   
4. improve standards of living and ensure that there is life after mining.

Since 1996, a variety of projects has been funded through the BCDP, including: small business enterprises, crop and livestock production projects, agro-processing initiatives, the extension of amenities such as water and electricity to communities, road repairs and improvements, and skills training courses.

As of December 2003, approximately 15,000 persons, spread over 250 communities have directly benefited from the implementation of the BCDP.

THE FUTURE

The primary focus of the JBI for the future is to enhance the competitive position of the local industry through greater productivity and a stable industrial climate, to facilitate additional investment and the modernization of the plants, consistent with sound environmental practices.

Encouraging protection of the environment includes strengthening the Institute’s capacity to monitor and undertake environmental research, and ensuring that environmental practices of the industry are in keeping with the highest standards worldwide. Research on specific problems in the processing of alumina, red mud disposal and utilization and the exploration of reserves for future mining operations in Jamaica are also vital areas which will continue to receive the priority attention of the JBI.