By Lynford Simpson Staff ReporterSEVEN YEARS after it was first promised, plans are back on track for the opening of Jamaica's first known gold mine within the first half of 2001.
Work is under way on the plant at Main Ridge in Clarendon, where adequate quantities of the precious metal were reportedly discovered during prospecting by Australia-based mining company, Ausjam.
"It (the plant) is on its way. It is something that will soon be announced," Coy Roache, Commissioner of Mines told The Gleaner yesterday.
However, he refused to elaborate on the operations and the precise date for the opening of the plant, citing several unfulfilled promises over the years.
The sharp fall in the price of gold in 1997 from a high of US$350 per ounce to $252 by early 1999, disrupted plans for the opening of the plant as it created additional expenses for Ausjam which subsequently pulled out of the country.
Although the reserves at Main Ridge are said to be of a very high grade, Ausjam had also expressed doubts about whether they were up to the desired quantity.
Apart from the fact the price for gold has now stabilised around the $280 mark, it is not known what triggered the change of heart on the part of the Australians. However, they have been back in the island since October and work on the plant is progressing well, Mr. Roache said.
He said the Minister was "cautious about making too much noise", about the operation.
Mr. Robert Pickersgill, in his contribution to the 1993/94 Budget Debate, expressed confidence a decision would have been made during that fiscal year to open the country's first known gold mine. He has not said much on the matter since and has reportedly said he will not do so "until the gold is pouring from the mine".
Ausjam, which has already spent more than US$4 million on prospecting work locally, is expected to employ at least 20 people when the mine is up and running.
