Jamaica Could Restart Gold Mining after Chemical Leak in Clarendon

Above: Housing, Environment and Water Minister Dr Horace Chang (2nd left), addressing journalists about a toxic leak at the gold mine in Pennants, Clarendon, during a media briefing at the National Environment and Planning Agency on Monday. Others (from left) are: Chief Executive Officer, NEPA, Peter Knight; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Genefa Hibbert (JIS Photo)

Operations at Jamaica’s gold mine in Pennants, Clarendon could restart soon, according to the country’s National Environment and Planning Agency. NEPA CEO Peter Knight said that the mine’s operators, AUSJAM limited, wished to return to re-activate the site.

Knight was speaking at a press briefing about a reported toxic leak at the site.

The mine, which is Jamaica’s only gold mine, first received its permit in 1997. According to Clinton Thompson, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Energy’s Mines and Geology Division, there were some deposits which “require further exploration,” especially in light of the change in price from when the mine was previously operated. “You can recognise the importance of that deposit, which is the patrimony of the Jamaican people,” he said.

The small operation, which employed 20 to 30 people, ceased in 2010 after its permit was revoked after AUSJAM’s principals had reportedly relocated the firm to Australia.

Knight said the principals had been located, and that they were in Jamaica now to discuss the reopening.

One hold-up is the presence of Sodium Cyanide, a toxic chemical used in gold mining, and the question of storage of the chemical at the site.

Environment Minister Dr Horace Chang said the mine would be cordoned to restrict unauthorised access.

“If the situation changes and gold mining poses a threat,” he said. “That environmental permit would be revoked.”

–Jamaica Information Service