The near collapse of the bauxite/alumina industry, a cornerstone of the Jamaican economy, means the Government has a responsibility to seek to fill the vacuum - if only partially.



Over a period of decades, successive Jamaican governments have become dependent on revenues from bauxite/alumina. Just as importantly, thousands of people, directly and indirectly, have come to virtually take for granted the benefits of relatively high-paid jobs in the industry.



Hence the sense of siege and gloom which now prevails in bauxite-mining and alumina-processing communities and indeed right across the country, following the recent closure of three plants.



Against that backdrop, plans by the Government to expand the limestone mining sector, as part of the drive to make up for the bauxite/alumina fallout, are perfectly logical.



We note the enthusiasm for limestone mining being exhibited by minister of mining and energy, Mr James Robertson, and state minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Mr Michael Stern.



"We don't realise we have a large deposit of limestone, we have an almost endless supply," gushes Mr Stern.



In like manner, Mr Robertson tells us that Jamaica has "at least 60 times more" limestone than bauxite reserves and that "very large quantities of this (limestone) reserve are 'mineable' and are of exceptionally good quality".



We hear of ready markets and substantial revenues for Jamaican limestone.



But like environmentalists Ms Wendy Lee and Ms Diana McCaulay, this newspaper feels the need to advise extreme caution.



To begin with, we are alarmed by the potential for 'uglification' of the Jamaican landscape. Anyone who has ever approached the Norman Manley Airport by aircraft and experienced the jarring sight of limestone mines standing out against the lush green hillsides, like so many white, open sores, should understand what we are trying to say.



We should be forgiven if, given the experience up to now of bauxite and limestone mining, we are not convinced by the assurances from Mr Robertson that a proper "balance" will be maintained.



We would strongly urge that before any large-scale expansion of limestone mining all necessary steps should be taken to determine the environmental consequences.



'Uglification' of the Jamaican landscape apart, we need to be sure of what an expanded limestone mining sector will mean for Jamaica's eco-systems; for water quality, etc. We await the considered, scientific and unemotional positions of our geological and environmental experts.



Crucially, what will it all mean for the life-giving tourism industry? No doubt our tourism leaders - not least the energetic minister Mr Edmund Bartlett - will have their say.



Bottom line: We should look very, very, very carefully before we leap.