Dry Harbour Mountain in Discovery Bay, St. Ann
The company granted a permit to carry out mining and quarrying in Dry Harbour Mountain in Discovery Bay, St. Ann, has responded to concerns raised by residents, environmentalists and the parliamentary opposition.
Bengal Development Limited/Jamaica World was initially denied an environmental permit because of environmental concerns, but this was later reversed by the responsible cabinet minister.
In a media release Wednesday, Bengal Development sought to clarify what it said was misinformation in the public domain.
One of the concerns raised is that the area for which the permit has been granted is not a quarry zone, but the company says none of the three existing licensed quarries in St. Ann fall within a quarry zone.
It adds that it is a similar situation for most quarries across Jamaica.
Bengal Development also insists that the proposed quarry, will not be a significant polluter, that the noise levels will be within the allowed limit, traffic will not be an issue and the impact on forest and biodiversity will be limited.
It also says quarrying will have no impact on the underground hydrology.
The company notes that operation of the quarry will not adversely impact air quality for residents, as the concentrations of particles that will be emitted are sufficiently low not to be a cause of concern.
Bengal Development further states that mitigative steps will be implemented. For example, blasting will be conducted no more than twice per month, using blast mats to prevent rock falls.
It says it will also communicate with residents when there will be blasting activity and pre-blast surveys will be done.
Additionally, the company says the proposed quarry will be located behind a ridge and will be minimally seen from the houses, villas, guesthouses, or apartments in the area. The existing quarry face cannot be observed from the road, it says.
Bengal Development says it has accepted the mandate from the National Environment and Planning Agency to establish a Complaints Register and a Grievance Framework.
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