Extended Cockpit Country boundaries will not affect Noranda Jamaica’s mining operations

As said by state-run Mines & Geology Division in Jamaica, Noranda’s mining operations have not been affected by the expansion of the protected areas of the Cockpit Country.

Noranda’s mining licence covers some mining lands that are now a part of the redrawn Cockpit Country boundaries, the agency said. However, New Day, the managing partner for Noranda Jamaica, did not reactivate that licence after taking control of the operation in September 2016.

New Day now owns 49 per cent of Noranda Jamaica after acquiring the bankrupt company Noranda Aluminium Holding Corporation in in the third quarter of 2016. The Jamaican Government owns the other 51 per cent of the mining company.

The original mining lease held by Noranda under Special Mining Lease No. 165, encompassed 177 square kilometres (68 square miles) south of Brown's Town in St Ann; and another 136 square kilometres (52 square miles) in western St Ann and Trelawny under Special Exclusive Prospecting Licence No. 578.

SEPL 578 now comes under Cockpit country; however no renewal application has been filed by New Day since its expiry on June 16, 2016. The agency confirmed that New Day was awarded another additional mining lease - SML 172 in areas of western St Ann for five years, dating from May 16, 2017, which would compensate a little for the loss of mining lands.

Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners II now holds two valid licences - namely SML 165 and SML 172 in the parish of St Ann, the agency said.

Noranda has 25-year renewable lease with the Government of Jamaica, starting in 2016 and according to the last update, it currently produces 2.6 million tonnes per annum, but has the capacity to ramp up to 5.2 million tonnes.