Chantae Wilson | Don’t forget about Cockpit Country

The current state of affairs has certainly kept everyone busy washing their hands and trying to refrain from touching their faces, but has anyone checked on our friends who are nestled in the cool hills of the Cockpit Country?

The Cockpit Country is more than just an area of vast land space. It is also a gold mine for plant and animal lovers alike as hundreds of extraordinary organisms flourish there. To date, new species living in this area are still being discovered and explored by scientists.

The Cockpit Country is the only and largest natural forest here on our island, and it boasts six major rivers that are critical water sources for western Jamaica. It is home to about 70,000 people, including the Leeward Maroons. It is here that the Maroons fought the British to a treaty in 1738/39. Hence, there have been many demands for the area to be regarded as both a national and world heritage site. Undoubtedly, its rich history and exotic plants and animals, along with its ability to provide our island with crisp, clean air and cool temperatures, must be protected.

Last year, many concerned citizens and various environment groups gathered in heavy protest against the imminent mining plans by Noranda to mine bauxite in their little oasis. Fast-forward to this year, and the residents are still in limbo about the Government’s plans for the area.

Although the prime minister has assured the country that protecting the environment is on his list of top priorities, many are still disappointed about the boundary allocation for mining that was tabled, gazetted, and published in 2017. These areas include Special Mining Lease 172, 165, and 173, which consist of communities like Gibraltar, Caledonia, and areas of Brown’s Town in St Ann. Arguably, Area 173 is an area adjoining the prohibited boundary.

Noranda’s VOICE

Noranda has added its voice to the conversation in reassuring residents that industrial safety and protection of the environment both play a major role in the conduct of its operations.

In a public release dated October 2, 2019, the company noted that during mining, all heritage sites and caves are secured from mining activity. It said that during the process, topsoil and other species are removed and stored under controlled conditions (as an obligation under the mining permit). “Upon completion of mining, the species are replanted or returned to the specific location and carefully tended to facilitate their growth or regeneration,” the release said.

However, the citizens are holding firm to their belief. A major concern surrounding the issue is the health of persons living in and around the area as the process of mining bauxite is deemed to have detrimental effects in this regard. Natural bauxite ore consists of aluminium hydroxide, iron oxide, titanium oxide, and reactive silica substances that have been found to have adverse effects on especially the respiratory system of humans.

Aluminium hydroxide is the main content of the bauxite ore. Excessive exposure of this could result in pain, coughing, and redness of the skin, along with peeling and itching eyes, as those are among the significant effects of exposure to bauxite dust.

As citizens, we have a constitutional right to enjoy a healthy and productive environment free from the threat of injury or damage from environmental abuse and degradation of the ecological heritage. Mining in the Cockpit Country will not only displace the various species that call it home and disrupt our continuous flow of natural water supply, but it will also infringe on this right that has been afforded to citizens.

In closing, it is my suggestion that the Government revise the boundary allocation and, if possible, dismiss all plans to commence mining in that area. Additionally, I urge my fellow citizens to join the conversation, lend a voice, and assist our brothers and sisters in the Cockpit Country.

Chantae Wilson is a law student. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.