Did you know?
Jamaica’s bauxite deposits are tied to the island’s limestone geology and long periods of tropical weathering.
Much of Jamaica sits on limestone. Over long periods, intense tropical weathering concentrated aluminum-rich material in pockets and depressions, helping create economically important bauxite deposits.
Geology connects to industry
Understanding how an ore formed helps explain where it is found, how it is mined and why bauxite and alumina became major parts of Jamaica’s industrial history.
GEOLOGYWeathered limestone landscapes
Jamaican bauxite commonly occurs in association with weathered limestone terrain.
MATERIAL SCIENCEBauxite to alumina
Bauxite is processed to produce alumina, the material used to make aluminum.