| Jamaica is a land of many wonders known for a | | | | alloys are even found on aircraft and rockets, due to |
| great many things. Some think of Jamaica and think | | | | their high strength-to-weight ratio. So while you may |
| of a vacation destination. White sand beaches as far | | | | hear more about all inclusive adults only Jamaica |
| as the eye can see come to mind, as well as the | | | | resorts, this Caribbean jewel is so much more. The |
| rolling tide of the ocean and beautiful, multi-colored | | | | next time you use something made with |
| sunsets. While it is true that all inclusive resorts dot | | | | aluminum-which will likely be soon-you just may be |
| the Jamaican shoreline, this island is not simply a place | | | | handling aluminum made from Jamaican bauxite. |
| to vacation. Tourism, while the largest industry in | | | | Bauxite isn't mined in deep caves like some materials. |
| Jamaica, is not the only thing Jamaica is known for. | | | | Instead, it's harvested by a process called strip mining |
| This is certainly a land rich in beauty and culture, but | | | | or surface mining. Because bauxite is found near the |
| it is also an island where you can forget about your | | | | surface with little rock and soil on top of it, |
| life back home, no matter how mundane, for as long | | | | underground mining is not an option. Instead, large |
| as you stay. | | | | machines will strip the rock and soil away from the |
| It is not as flashy as all-night parties or as laid-back | | | | surface until the bauxite below is revealed. Those |
| cool as a reggae band, but Jamaica is also one of the | | | | that are in Jamaica for one of the many destination |
| world's largest producer of bauxite, one of the most | | | | weddings likely will not be thinking about strip mining, |
| important ores. Most of the bauxite mined in Jamaica | | | | but if you get out and see the country, you may run |
| is processed into aluminum, which is then used in all | | | | into one. It's probably best, however, to stick to the |
| sorts of products. You will find aluminum in everything | | | | resorts, the beaches, and the restaurants. After all, |
| from cars and trucks to soda cans. It's common for | | | | that's why you came to Jamaica, right? Unless you're |
| all sorts of colors of aluminum siding to adorn | | | | into mining or need to be there on business, it's |
| suburban houses, and it's likely that your kitchen has | | | | probably best to leave the bauxite mines to others. |
| more than one aluminum cooking utensil. Aluminum | | | | |