Jamaica's mining output up 25%

Jamaica's mining and quarrying industry grew by 25.5% in Q1, from the same period last year.

The sector was the country's top performer in the period and was the main driver for the goods producing industry's overall 3.0% growth, Jamaica's official information service reported, citing the country's planning institute.

Mining growth was spurred by 28.7% higher bauxite production, which resulted in a 27.1% alumina output rise, following the restart of production at Jiuquan Iron and Steel Company's (JISCO) Alpart alumina refinery.

China's JISCO is investing US$3bn in an expansion of the Alpart plant, which will boost capacity to 2.0Mt/y from 1.65Mt/y by 2020.