Daily Observer (Jamaica)

Lydford Mining— a major player in the limestone industry

- BY KELLARAY MILES

LYDFORD Mining Limited has said that with global environmen­tal standards becoming increasing­ly rigorous and the demand for limestone expanding, the company is positionin­g itself to take advantage of emerging opportunit­ies.

Starting as a small mining company operating out of Lydford in St Ann, back in 1990s, the operation has grown to become a quiet powerhouse in the local industry, also penetratin­g several significan­t markets globally. Big on aggregate supply, it has also been making significan­t strides in some of these markets.

“We have recently been given contracts to supply constructi­on aggregates to the US naval base at Guantanamo. There is a large market for industrial-grade limestone in South America to support the de-sulphurisa­tion of flue gases,” Jackie Millington, the company’s director of finance, shared in responding to questions from the Jamaica Observer’s Sunday Finance last week.

The company, which has been steadily increasing its market share locally and internatio­nally, will further strengthen its business in the US through the recent Us$1million shipment of processed limestone to the naval base. Shipments are to be carried out on weekly trips for the July to October period.

“Lydford currently produces ground calcium carbonate (GCC) for the domestic and Caricom markets. The company has done detailed design work to increase its production capability for GCC. We have also explored partnershi­ps to establish facilities to manufactur­e nutraceuti­cals in Jamaica,” Millington told the Caribbean Business Report (CBR), noting the growing demand for products from her company, particular­ly in the constructi­on and industrial-grade sectors.

VALUE ADDED OPPORTUNIT­IES

Lydford, which is currently focused on the export of limestone in three main areas, namely, food, chemical/industrial and constructi­on grade aggregates, said that they would want to get into the other areas.

Commenting on the Jamaica Promotion’s Corporatio­n’s (Jampro) promotion of a multi-billion US dollar industry for limestone products, now ripe for investment and export opportunit­ies, Millington said that tapping into such ventures may be an expensive undertakin­g, especially for new suppliers.

“The value-added limestone market requires a long gestation period to gain access— new suppliers are typically out [for] a rigorous evaluation of their products that may take as long as five years. The large capital investment also serves as a barrier to entry,” she added.

She said that with the COVID-19 pandemic reducing some 60 per cent of the local market, the company’s main aim is to review its operations and improve its operating efficiency.

“Lydford Mining seeks to be the limestone supplier of choice in the markets in which it chooses to compete. We strive to streamline all processes to allow ourselves to compete more effectivel­y in the multi-billion dollar market for constructi­on-grade aggregates,” she further told the CBR.

 ??  ?? Jackie Millington, director of finance and value-added products, at Lydford Mining, stands proudly in front of a mountain of crushed limestone at Reynolds Pier.
Jackie Millington, director of finance and value-added products, at Lydford Mining, stands proudly in front of a mountain of crushed limestone at Reynolds Pier.

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