The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has issued two environmental permits to Noranda Jamaica Bauxite partners for the mining of over 1,300 hectares of land in St. Ann.

The permits were issued to Noranda on February 7.

In a release today, NEPA confirms that the permits are for a limited geographical area consisting of 1,333 hectares of land.

It says the permits include the GPS coordinates for the boundaries of the area released.

The first environmental permit allows for the mining and quarrying of bauxite, peat, sand, minerals including aggregates, construction, and industrial material, metallic and non-metallic ores.

While the second allows for the clearing of six hectares or more of vegetation, excluding agricultural holdings under production.

NEPA notes that the permit for mining contains 75 conditions, while the permit for the clearing of vegetation has 50 conditions.

It says the conditions include mitigation measures to address impacts on biodiversity, water resources, and heritage sites and features.

Air quality and socio-economic impacts are also addressed.

Noranda Jamaica is also mandated to post an environmental performance bond, establish grievance mechanisms and operate a complaints register.

NEPA says the environmental permits have been circulated to the water resources authority, forestry department, Jamaica National Heritage Trust, the Mines and Geology Division, and the Ministry of Health and Wellness which will be integrally involved in the monitoring and enforcement of the permits.

It adds that the agency is preparing an inter-agency monitoring framework to guide collaboration among the agencies.

In response to the approval from NEPA, Noranda Bauxite Partners says while the significant further reduction of mining lands is a meaningful conservatory step, it could be detrimental to the future business longevity of the company in Jamaica.

Noranda says it is important to note that Special Mining Lease-173 is currently in its third and smallest form, having been reduced from 8,335 hectares to what is now permitted as only 1,324 hectares.

It says of this permitted area, it will only be operating in 254 hectares for the development of roads and related bauxite mining, and none of this is in the Cockpit Country protected area or near maroon communities.

Noranda notes that it was the first bauxite company to agree to support the government’s establishment of the Cockpit Country Protected Area and fully supports its formal gazetting.

It states that it is prepared to move forward mining within the permitted area and will not appeal the permit decision, respecting NEPA’s process.

Noranda adds that it will continue constructive dialogue toward compromise and fair outcomes.