All Jamaicans, but especially those in south central Jamaica, will be hoping that Mining Minister Mr Phillip Paulwell is on the right track and that a resurgence of the bauxite/alumina sector is around the corner.

However, given the false hopes of recent years, Jamaicans will be forgiven if they do not hold their collective breath.

What’s for sure is that the shutting down of the Alpart and Kirkvine plants have had catastrophic consequences for the economy and society. Indeed, the painful decision to return to the economic dictates of the International Monetary Fund had much to do with that gigantic hole left by the closure of those plants.

At ground level, a quick drive through Manchester and St Elizabeth on any given evening will soon demonstrate the fallout.

Once-thriving communities, bubbling with laughter, music and night-time entertainment are now in retreat and depression. For locals, life is as hard as it has been in decades.

And yet for all of that, they are a resilient people, finding a way to support their families and keep their children in school, through farming and whatever means necessary.

In Mandeville, the disappearance of the bauxite economy has forced attention to economic diversification. Concrete steps are being taken to build an ICT sector which will provide jobs for young people and there is obviously fertile ground for a developed knowledge sector.

And while traditional agriculture all across the south central region has allowed many to keep their heads above water, it is obvious that increased attention to irrigation, marketing and available technology, including protected farming, will bring greater sustainability in wealth generation.

It’s with all that in mind that we applaud Mr Paulwell’s assertion that a bauxite/alumina revival must not amount to business as usual for the companies which exploit Jamaica’s resources.

We agree entirely that the companies must start to carry their weight in taxes and levies. There have been concessions aplenty with not nearly enough to justify. Land reclamation and inadequate respect for the Jamaican environment have been vexed issues from the dawn of the bauxite industry in Jamaica.

This newspaper believes laws to protect the environment must be strengthened where they are found to be wanting and strictly enforced.

The Jamaican people would welcome a revival of the bauxite/alumina sector, but it cannot be at all costs.