Tag: Red Dirt

Has the Jamaican Government responded to the IACHR regarding human rights of citizens near bauxite mines?

January 4, 2023

I rarely “copy and paste” editorials or articles in our local newspapers, if at all. However, I see this Sunday Gleaner editorial, published on January 1, as related to a recent post – where I pointed out that, as it appears, the Jamaican Government has not yet responded to Resolution 65/22 of the Inter American … More Has the Jamaican Government responded to the IACHR regarding human rights of citizens near bauxite mines?

On the Rio Cobre, Cockpit Country, and their Jamaican people

December 21, 2022

As the year draws to a close, there are more issues hanging in the balance. I sometimes feel the future of the Planet, including our small, sometimes green, rocky island, is in the balance, too. As the delegates to COP15 – the critical UN conference on biodiversity – pack up their laptops, check out of … More On the Rio Cobre, Cockpit Country, and their Jamaican people

JET acknowledges the declaration of the Cockpit Country Protected Area, but..

March 23, 2022

On March 17, during the Budget Debate in Parliament, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that the Cockpit Country Protected Area has now been officially designated and gazetted. Is that the end of this long story, with its many twists and turns? Well, not quite. You can find the Environmental Impact Assessments on the National Environment … More JET acknowledges the declaration of the Cockpit Country Protected Area, but..

Cockpit Country: Government decides to permit a reduced mining area, but concerns remain

January 5, 2022

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) announced yesterday (January 3, 2022) that a reduced area will be offered to the Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners II for mining close to the Cockpit Country under the highly controversial Special Mining Licence (SML) 173. Here’s the full text of NEPA CEO Peter Knight’s statement. This will exclude … More Cockpit Country: Government decides to permit a reduced mining area, but concerns remain

This is Gibraltar, St. Ann, Jamaica: Save Cockpit Country

October 30, 2021

These photographs landed in a tweet from Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) on my timeline this afternoon, leaving me with a heavy feeling in my heart. I think they speak for themselves. “I had never been confronted by bauxite mining in this way before,” confessed CEO of JET, Dr. Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie. “Beautiful hillsides with lush forests … More This is Gibraltar, St. Ann, Jamaica: Save Cockpit Country

ICYMI in Jamaica, January 19, 2021: The “Gang-Related” Edition

January 20, 2021

It’s been one of those weeks that makes you weary. But, we toil on. The New Year (which we welcomed in rather muted fashion) already seems old. However, we were described by one overseas media house as a “gutsy” island. Sometimes one just feels tired. Perhaps it’s the humid, not-quite-ready-to-rain weather in Kingston. Nevertheless, let … More ICYMI in Jamaica, January 19, 2021: The “Gang-Related” Edition

JET Presents “Red Dirt: A Multidisciplinary Review of the Bauxite-Alumina Industry in Jamaica”

January 8, 2021

The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) will hold a virtual public forum to present the findings of RED DIRT: A Multidisciplinary Review of the Bauxite-Alumina industry in Jamaica. The study was conducted by eight experts in their respective fields and covers an in depth look at the costs and benefits of this important industry. The forum is … More JET Presents “Red Dirt: A Multidisciplinary Review of the Bauxite-Alumina Industry in Jamaica”