49th FORUM FIELDTRIPS
For the first two trips the maximum number of participants is 40. For these field trips therefore,
priority will therefore be given to those persons who register early.
Field Trip 1 -
TRAILING THE LIMESTONE
The limestone in the parish of Clarendon, Jamaica is followed from the point of extraction to its
processing to feed-stock size (Chemical Lime, Salt River) for the lime-kilns. After reduction to
lime (CemexJa. Ltd) the material is passed over to the bauxite refinery (JAMALCO) where it is
consumed in the production of alumina from bauxite.
1.1
Visit to Chemical
operations.
Lime
1.2
CEMEX Jamaica Ltd.
1.3
JAMALCO
Field Trip 2 -
There are two planned stops: (i) quarry face, (ii) crushing
THE WHITING EXPERIENCE
The limestone in St. Ann is known for its purity and usage in many high-end application such as
flue gas desulphurization (FGD), food industry and whiting in paints and coatings. The
operations at Lydford Mining Company will be studied to see how the material is extracted and
processed for the different markets.
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2.1
Lydford Mining Company
The field trip will include:
i.
ii.
iii.
A slide show of the operations and an introduction to the laboratory facilities,
Plant/ Mill tour
Quarry tour of the Cedar Valley (whiting) deposit and Relief Bush (FGD) operations.
Field Trip 3 -
SAVE THE COCKPIT COUNTRY?
This field trip will present to the participants an area endowed with mineral wealth such as
bauxite and limestone. Participants will learn about the physical, environmental and economic
geology of the region.
A brief history of the bauxite industry will be provided considering that Windalco Kirkvine, the
oldest bauxite refinery in Jamaica is visible along the route, which also shows areas where
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mining occurred. The tour will consist of visits to points of interest such as river sink,
resurgence, caves, and other karst topographic features.
At the end of the tour participants will be asked to weigh the options of mining versus
preservation of this area or pristine beauty.
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