160 Years: Unearthing Jamaica’s Mineral Wealth - Our Story

The year 2019 commemorates 160 years since the first Government-commissioned geological survey of Jamaica. In the early 1850s the Island Government made an urgent request to Britain for a complete and systematic evaluation of the mineral potential of the colony following the decline of the sugar industry.

The foundation for geological research in Jamaica was laid by Sir Henry Thomas De La Beche, owner of the Halse Hall Estate, Clarendon. Funded by the profits of his sugar estate he conducted the first geological mapping of the eastern side of the island between 1823 and 1824. His estate earnings also funded his geological surveys of Devon, England, which propelled the establishment of the  Geological Survey of Great Britain  in 1835.

Before the English, the Spaniards had colonized Jamaica in search of gold and other valuable natural resources. They were not as successful as they had hoped and somewhat willingly handed over possession to the English in 1655. The English too continued this quest. Several mining ventures were started, mainly for mining gold and copper and like the Spaniard were unsuccessful. Declining sugar revenues and gold rushes in the USA and Australia in the 1840s fuelled a boom in exploration and mining in Jamaica. However, inexperience in the local geology coupled with the pressure from desperate investors resulted in a boom of exploration and mining activities. These however were poorly planned and disorganized resulting in many failures, and exorbitant financial losses. This mining boom peaked between 1850 and 1858.

The mining companies turned to the Government for help in the form of a proper geological survey. A strong appeal was made to England for thorough geological study. Britain agreed, but only after a geological survey of Trinidad, because a gentleman had presented a sample of fool’s gold (pyrite) from Trinidad to the Geological Survey of Great Britain to test for gold. The Trinidad survey started in 1856 while the mapping of Jamaica started in 1859. It is this Survey of 1859 that we commemorate as the Anniversary of the first Government-commissioned geological survey of Jamaica.

Several geologists were assigned to Jamaica over a period of ten years. The Survey started with Lucas Barrett, the Director assisted by James G. Sawkins. The untimely death of Barrett resulted in Sawkins leading the team and other geologists such as George P. Wall, Arthur Lennox and Charles B. Brown joining at different times. Wall had led the team for the surveys of Trinidad.

In 1865 the Surveys were impacted by political unrest. It is reported that the geologists in multiple instances came under attack from ex-slaves wielding machetes and throwing stones. These deteriorating political conditions led up to the event recorded in history as the Morant Bay Rebellion. The threats to the Survey work led to the expedited preparation of the complete Geological Map of Jamaica and discontinuation of the Survey. The Geological Map was dated 1865 and the supporting Reports on Geology were released later in 1869. These would be the primary geological reference documents for the island for the next 80 years as Government-funded geological survey and mining was not a priority. Jamaica's heritage as an agricultural colony continued.

Just as it is today, the Island suffered from a great drought in 1914. The response by the Colonial Government was the exploration for a reliable water supply. Two geologists, Charles Alfred Matley assisted by Gordon Murray Stockley were assigned for three years to study the water resources of the island. They also conducted mapping of the rocks, and surveyed the mineral and fossil fuel resources. The Geologists regularly published their findings in the Gleaner newspaper.

The capital Kingston was growing and it became a focus for geological studies. As such a detailed geological map of the region was prepared. Of note, the geologists provided technical advice on two water supply proposals for the capital. The first involved impounding water in the hills above Constant Spring for piping to the plains, and second, to bring water from the Yallahs River to Kingston. Reduction in financial allocations by the Government resulted in discontinuation of the Survey. However, the invaluable advice provided supported the construction the Hermitage Dam in 1927, and the Yallahs water pipeline laid over 60 years later in 1986.

The First and Second World Wars had severely diminished the natural resources of the Super Powers, and countries like Britain initiated a program to conduct geological surveys of those colonies that had high potential for mineral wealth such as those in Africa. They also wanted to wean the Caribbean nations from being dependent and so provided large tranches of money for development projects.

In 1939 the Department of Agriculture at Hope recognized that Jamaican red dirt in St. Ann was generally not the best for some plants, and that it was rich in aluminium. A local farmer from Lydford near Golden Grove, after consulting with the Government in 1942, promoted the material to the aluminium multinational companies and research on Jamaican bauxite began. Although taking a decade to develop the extractive metallurgy, the result was another boom in mining in Jamaica.

From as early as 1943 the Commissioner of Lands Captain Frederick Burnett had pressed for mining legislation to regulate future mining activities especially that the economic potential for bauxite was growing. In August 1946 the Imperial Government wrote to Jamaica outlining 'mineral policy guidelines' towards making the best possible arrangements for the country realizing its mineral assets. The Government, in securing its interest in the industry, prepared the  Mining Legislation  (which today are administered by the Mines and Geology Division). In 1947 A Minerals (Vesting) Act was prepared that declared that all minerals were property of the Crown. This was then followed by the Mining Act that provided the framework for all exploration and mining activities. This Act provided for the appointment of a Commissioner of Mines along with other government officials who provided support to this new portfolio. These officers were placed under the Lands Department which at the time was headed by the Commissioner of Lands. The Commissioner began acting as Commissioner of Lands and Mines in October 1947.

Britain had given Jamaica a huge allocation of development money for local projects. This included establishing a university and a teaching hospital in Mona called University College of the West Indies. Jamaica also was granted funding to establish a Geological Survey (within the Lands Department) in October 1949 with the mandate to map the country geologically and to investigate the mineral resources of the island. By April 1951, the Geological Survey became an independent Department. The Head was a Latvian, Verners Aleksandrs Zans.

This new Department was based at the Institute of Jamaica and produced geological maps that served as the basis for investigations of water supply and soils, and as information for engineering purposes and mineral exploration and development. By 1952 a new simplified geological map of the island was available. The information was refined and a 1958 Geology Map at the 1:250,000 scale was prepared.

Promoting the role of the geological survey and the importance of the minerals sector was of priority. As such the Survey participated in exhibitions such as the Jamaica 300 Agricultural Show at Denbigh, radio broadcasts, articles in the press, lectures and the teaching of geology at several high schools. This new Geological Survey Department was soon awkwardly bestowed with duties to technically advise on the regulation of mineral exploration and mining activities.

Since the Mining Legislation were passed in 1947, the Commissioner of Lands served as the Commissioner of Mines. He was already overwhelmed with land matters following the war and so the mining matters took second place.The double role being so burdensome oftentimes resulted in the officers of the Geological Survey being requested to provide technical guidance. This time-consuming activity took away from the real Survey work. After long administrative jostling as to whom should do the work a separate Department of Mines was established in 1952 to regulate mining, quarrying, and oil and gas exploration. The Commissioner of Lands and Mines Mr. Caesar Peter deFrietas took up the assignment to head this new Department as the Commissioner of Mines, which he did up to 1957. By the end of the 1950s the extractive industry was governed by the Minerals (Vesting) Act, the Mining Act and its Regulations, the Petroleum (Production) Law 1940, and the Quarries Law 1955 and its 1958 Quarries Regulations.

The promotion of geology and interests in the study of the subject led to the establishment of the Jamaica Group of the Geologists' Association (of London) in 1955, which later became the Geological Society of Jamaica. One of the first members was the Rt. Hon. Norman Manley.

The popularization of Geology also highlighted the need for professional geologists globally. Due to the World War there was a shortage of trained persons. By 1961 a Department of Geology at the University College of the West Indies was established with one of the two lecturers being a geologist from the Survey, Mr. Edward Robinson. The new department was housed in an old shack at a site beside the Mona Visitors Lodge. The building was formerly occupied by the Chemical Technology Department that was relocated to Trinidad. Before that, the building was part of the Camp for refugees from Gibraltar in Europe.

Also in 1961, the Geological Survey Department moved from the Institute of Jamaica to Hope Gardens. This new headquarters at Hope boasted the first modern seismograph station in Jamaica obtained following the dreadful March 1957 earthquake that shook the island; particularly most damaging in the west. This instrument was relocated in 1963 to the University, and the Earthquake Unit was established.

The periods of long drought in the 1960s led to active research on Jamaica's water resources. By 1968, the Water Resources Section of the Public Works Department was transferred to the Geological Survey, forming the Water Resources Division which was responsible for monitoring surface and groundwater resources. Merger of this Division with the Underground Water Authority led to the establishment of the independent statutory Water Resources Authority.

By 1973, the Geological Survey Department was merged with the Department of Mines to establish for the first time, a Mines and Geology Division. Five years later the two were separated into the Geological Survey Division (GSD) and the Mines and Quarries Division. The Mines and Quarries Division was set up to administer the mining and quarrying laws whereas the Geological Survey conducted geological research.

The management of the bauxite industry involved several instances of negotiation with the multinational companies, e.g. 1953 Royalty, 1956/57, 1973 Production Levy. It was recognized that Jamaica needed its own research team to provide technical information to support the country's position at the table. In October 1975 Cabinet approved the establishment of the Jamaica Bauxite Institute. In 1976, the bauxite-related research services of the Geological Survey were separated to establish this new public body.

The oil crisis of 1973 prompted interests in local fossil fuels. This included testing of peat in western Jamaica, and visits from prominent figures in the oil and gas industry. By 1979 the fossil fuel research functions of the GSD were separated to form the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica. As of April 2020 the latter has been subsumed into the Energy Ministry.

Flooding of western Jamaica in 1979 highlighted the need for full-time disaster management. The knowledge and expertise of the GSD was again utilized to establish the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Relief Coordination in 1980. This Office evolved to become the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management which also serves to increase public awareness of natural disasters.

In the 1980s, through several large internationally-funded projects, assessments of mineral resources were conducted. This included a regional geochemical surveys for metallic minerals funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). This activity was supported by a newly constructed laboratory facility. There were also studies of marbles and high-purity limestone financed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In addition, geotechnical investigations supported physical development. These included advising on the alignment for mountain roads for lumbering by the Forest Industries Development Company, and the monitoring of the large landslide at Preston, St. Mary. Based on the monitoring the Geological Survey recommended that 17 families should be relocated from the community as further movement of the landslide threatened their lives and property. Geological mapping remained a core function and all the detailed geological work of the 1970s were compiled to prepare a 1984 edition of the islandwide Geology Map.

In 1996, in a phase of Public Sector Modernization, the GSD was remerged with the Mines and Quarries Division to again form the Mines and Geology Division (MGD). Geological maps are continually updated and extensive studies on the geology and mineral resources of Jamaica continue, with the exploration and testing of several mineral deposits such as high-value limestone and non-skid aggregates.

A milestone in the mineral sector was the opening of Jamaica's first modern gold mine at Pennants district, Main Ridge, Clarendon. In 1997 a Mining Lease was granted to Australian-based Ausjam Mining Pty Ltd. to mine gold in that area. The Pennants area was identified as anomalous for goldd and silver during the CIDA-funded geochemical surveys of the 1980s.

As a regulatory organization MGD continues to administer the laws related to mining and quarrying, and mine safety, and the organization is responsible for the collection of royalties on minerals payable to the People of Jamaica. There are inspectorates for mining and quarrying, along with that for safety, health and environment. The Division maintains the Mining Cadastre for Jamaica in its Mining Registry.

As a research organization MGD collects, compiles and communicates all information about Jamaica's earth resources. Mineral research continues to be a core function. Exploration have been conducted on skid-resistant aggregate at locations throughout the island such as Bito, St. Thomas, and Devils Racecourse, St. Catherine. High purity limestone deposits have been drilled at three key location (Portland, Trelawny and St. Elizabeth) and several other sites are slated for exploration.

Engineering geological research to guide physical development also continues. These include the preparation of landslide susceptibility maps for St. Thomas, Portland, St. Mary and St. Catherine parishes. There is also the production of engineering geology maps for Montego Bay, ocho Rios and Falmouth. Geological advice is also provided to anyone seeking to conduct development and the Division is a key stakeholder in the national development approval process.

The Division's mineral exploration activities are supported by its Laboratory that analyzes earth materials for both their physical, chemical and technological properties. The Laboratory also provides its analytical services to other government organizations, academia and industry. There is partnership with these entities towards identifying industrial solutions. This includes the use of indigenous materials as substitute for imported ingredients in some manufacturing processes.

Today the Division is headed by Commissioner of Mines, Mr. Roy F. Nicholson.

The Division is committed to our national Vision 2030 as we continue “Unearthing Jamaica's Mineral Wealth”.