Minister Green Announces Tougher Stance on Bauxite Pit Rehabilitation

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, has announced that the Commissioner of Mines will adopt a zero-tolerance approach to the rehabilitation of bauxite pits.

“I have said that the… Commissioner of Mines is to take a zero-tolerance approach in relation to the rehabilitation of pits, so that there is no new pit added to the backlog, and that we are to start urgently treating with the fees that are to be collected in relation to the backlog and ensure that the companies treat with the backlog of pits,” Mr. Green said.

The Minister was making his contribution to the debate on the Bauxite (Production Levy) (Capital Development Fund Withdrawal) Order, 2025, in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 11).

Mr. Green was addressing concerns regarding the timely restoration of mined-out bauxite lands.

Bauxite mining in Jamaica is concentrated primarily in the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St. Ann, and St. Catherine.

The Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI) collaborates closely with the Office of the Commissioner of Mines to ensure that lands disturbed by bauxite mining are properly rehabilitated and formally certified.

According to the JBI, ultimate responsibility for bauxite land reclamation lies with the Commissioner of Mines, as mandated by Jamaica’s Mining Regulations.

Mr. Green informed the House that at least one company has commenced the rehabilitation process, adding, “The Commissioner has sent out letters, and that is my clear position.”

“Because, unless the pits are repurposed for use in agriculture… they should be filled, in keeping with the legislation. We have started a review in relation to the specifications for rehabilitation, because I’ve heard from enough persons and farmers that when the land is rehabilitated, enough topsoil is not there… so it makes it very difficult,” he stated.

“We plan to come to the House with changes to that regime. So I want to assure the Members and, again, when we sit and meet, I will take some of your suggestions to see how, in changing that regime, we can come to some common place,” Minister Green added.