Cabinet has appointed a Cabinet Sub-Committee to do a comprehensive review on the Government's mining policy.

Information Minister, Donald Buchanan, told journalists attending Monday's post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, St. Andrew, that the decision was made to establish the committee in light of the recent dispute over the Government's decision to grant a licence to Alcoa and Clarendon Alumina Partners to explore sections of the Cockpit Country for bauxite and limestone deposits.

Subsequently suspended

Roger Clarke, Minister of Agriculture and Lands, had subsequently suspended the licence, pending consultation with environmentalists.

"Some work on this (the policy) had already begun at the level of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, but the Cabinet felt that a broader representation of interests within the Jamaican society and economy should be appointed to oversee the process," the Information Minister said.

Among the members appointed to the committee are Clarke; Dean Peart, Minister of Local Government and Environment; Senator Anthony Hylton, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Senator A.J. Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General and Minister Buchanan.