Jamaica’s Caribbean Cement Co Ltd has received approval from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) to develop a new limestone quarry and extend its existing gypsum quarry.

The company expects to produce 200,000tpa of gypsum once it expands its Halberstadt quarry from 2ha to 6.7ha. The new 20ha limestone quarry at Harbour Head, St Andrew, would be contiguous to an existing quarry and produce 800,000tpa.

The environmental report on the plans had already indicated that the company’s aggregates supply was at a critical level and needed replenishment, according to The Gleaner. The new projects will provide the company with over 20 years of raw materials, allowing it to satisfy the growing cement demand.