JET chairman Diana McCaulay - Gleaner file photo
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Diana McCaulay
The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is cautiously celebrating yesterday's announcement by the Government that it has backed down in relation to mining and quarrying in two disputed areas amid pressure from environmentalists and stakeholders.
The changes relate to the licence granted to Noranda Bauxite to mine in the vicinity of the Cockpit Country protected area and the permit to Bengal Development Limited for quarrying in the Dry Harbour Mountain in St. Ann.
JET chairman Diana McCaulay says while the decision is welcomed, mining and quarrying will still be taking place.
In an interview with Radio Jamaica News, Mrs McCaulay raised several questions regarding the new areas to be substituted in the mining and quarrying permits, noting she would have to see "who and what is going to be affected by that" before she really celebrates.
The JET chairman said she hopes the government will be more open with information on the proposed areas to be mined.
She also questioned whether the boundaries for the Cockpit Country Protected Area would be amended to include the area of Special Mining Lease 173 where the government has now disallowed mining.
Mrs McCaulay urged the government to speed up the process to have the Cockpit Country Protected Area declared under law so that discussions can begin regarding the creation of a "buffer zone around it."
In announcing the changes within the disputed areas on Wednesday, Mining Minister Robert Montague said the move was based on a directive from Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
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