Remarks

UNDP Resident Representative, Denise E Antonio

Launch of the Jamaican Mining Cadastre ‘JAMINCAD’

Friday 11 March 2022, 10:00 a.m. | Mines and Geology Division, Hope Gardens

•  Hon. Audley Shaw, Minister of Transport & Mining
•  Hon. JC Hutchinson, Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport and Mining
• Dr Alwin Hales, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Mining
• Mr. Aniceto Rodriguez Ruiz, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the EU
• Mrs. Uyanga Gankhuyag, Global Programme Manager, UNDP Brussels
• Mr. Adam Podolcsak, CEO, Compet-terra Kft
• Mr. Roy Nicholson, Commissioner of Mines
• Mr Leighton Williams, Chairman, Dep. Commissioner of Mines
• Mrs. Stacey Plummer, Dep. commissioner of Mines
•  Mr. Lacina Pakoun, Technical Specialist, UNDP
•  Other representatives of the UNDP and the EU
• Members of the Ministry and the Mines and Geology Division
•  Members of the Media
• Other distinguished ladies and gentlemen

Good Morning

Today we celebrate yet another milestone in Jamaica’s bold mission to become a digital society.

As of today, mining and quarry operators, persons with interest in mining, and those who regulate the industry will be able to do business online using JAMINCAD, Jamaica’s brand-new Mining Cadastre.

Because of this development, Jamaica is on the path to achieving the national vision for digital transformation.

Tedious paper-based processes for securing mining and mineral export licenses have now been replaced.

Potential investors can query and locate: Mineral deposits; licensed quarries; and adjacent assets such as roads, communities, and Protected Areas.

Better yet, information related to mining rights, regulations and licenses is now more transparent and accessible, ensuring that the public can hold stakeholders accountable to laws and policies.

Before today, these tasks required multiple interactions with the Mines and Geology Division in Kingston.

As of today, this can all be done with your PC or smartphone via secure login access.

If we could assign a value to previously lost productive hours and opportunities, it would be staggering.  

By going digital, Government agencies have boosted their capacity to monitor compliance, manage the industry and generate data – keys to strengthening productivity, efficiency and planning.

By going digital, Government has empowered the private sector to quicky and efficiently do business in the minerals industry.   

UNDP is pleased to partner with the Ministry of Transport and Mining in achieving this important digital milestone under the Organization of African Caribbean and Pacific States/European Union (OACPS/EU) funded Development Minerals Programme.

We regard this development as a major addition to the expanding architecture of the digital society, and a gamechanger for generating inclusive and sustainable growth within the sector.

Private sector, take note of how Rwanda's mining cadastre was touted as a potential boost for investment by a major digital player. They said: “For local businesses, particularly the artisanal mining sector, a mining cadastre allows them to seek capital funding to develop their projects."

The link between digital innovation and inclusive growth is clear. That is why UNDP has resolved to foster innovation in order to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. By focusing on SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – we have found a way to step up the pace of progress.

Consistent with our shared commitment to accelerated progress through digital transformation, more than one third of the Development Minerals Programme budget is allocated for the procurement of technology.

Today’s launch is therefore the latest technology asset transfer designed to strengthen the Ministry’s capacity to manage the sector. Previously, we have handed over Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Computer Servers and fast-speed wireless internet technology with greater capabilities.

Our Funding partners in the Development Minerals Programme – the European Union as well as the Organization of African Caribbean and Pacific States – continue to make it possible to support inclusive sustainable growth in the Development Minerals sector powered by technology. We remain grateful for their continued confidence and investment.

We sense an accelerated pace in digital transformation across the nation, championed by Government. This is Good for business. Good for growth. Good for accountability and ultimately, Good for Jamaica.  

Let us continue to partner to encourage the disrupters and the risk takers to innovate the technology.

Let us continue to work together to ensure the policies, processes and systems are ready to support the digital transformation agenda.

If we are deliberate and strategic in our efforts, we can make leaps, not just steps in the journey to shape a digital society – one that will become the catalyst for securing Jamaica’s 2030 vision of becoming the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business.  

Thank you.