Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners has said that they are willing to talk with community stakeholders on the subject of bauxite mining in Cockpit Country. However, they insisted on their mining rights on the land officially marked outside the Cockpit Country Protected Area (CCPA).
Lance Neita, consultant for community and public relations with the company insisted on finding a solution through discussions and clarifications.
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He added that Noranda supports 800 Jamaican employees and numerous other people who are benefitted by indirect work and they respect the Cockpit Country heritage. He insisted that the mining will only take place in the area outside of the CCPA and the area under the licence will be mined only when the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) gives the go-ahead.
“The area we are talking about is outside the Cockpit Country Protected Area and about 8,000 hectares; and only 15 per cent of that area is earmarked for mining,” he said, adding that it is also an area that is “largely unpopulated”.
Since Noranda works as a partner with the Government, they must operate under the law of the country. However Neita insisted on the importance of bauxite mining for the mining companies from the business and revenue point of view and also for the sake of employment.
“Bauxite and alumina earnings continue to be a mainstay of the economy. Noranda is the sole bauxite exporter, pump about 80 million USD into the economy annually and provides jobs. We have been mining for 50 years and if we are not allowed to mine, you have to think in terms of your sustainability, the sustainability of your company,” he said.
He pointed out to the vacuum that would be created in the economy if Alpart and Noranda bauxite were to close down operations. So, he insisted on creating a balance between economy and environment for the sake of the large number of people who are involved, including the government, the community and the mining companies.
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