Chemical leak at old mine in Jamaica under control

Earlier this week, reports were made by residents of Pennants that there might be a leak from a tank at the mine containing a toxic substance.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, – Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Daryl Vaz, says that the site of the old gold mine in the southern parish Clarendon has been secured and relevant agencies assigned to address the chemical leak threat there. And he says he’s satisfied that the situation is now under control.

Vaz said the assurance was conveyed to the Prime Minister Bruce Golding, by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA).

He added that directives have been given to ensure that there is no problem for the residents and the area around the closed AUSJAM mine in Pennants, Clarendon.

“I am sure that NEPA will be in a better position, within a day, to give a full update, in terms of their findings, and also to make sure that, that whole matter is dealt with once and for all so that there is no recurrence,” Vaz assured.

Earlier this week, reports were made by residents of Pennants that there might be a leak from a tank at the mine containing a toxic substance. There was concern that the chemical might have seeped into a nearby tributary of the Rio Minho River.

NEPA investigated the matter and found the leak and the container was enclosed. It said the contaminant appeared to be confined to the premises and there was no evidence that the chemical had contaminated the river and tributaries in the area. It was determined that the site poses no immediate threat to human health at this time.

AUSJAM Limited, the operators of the closed gold mine, received an Environmental Permit in 1997 to operate a mineral and metal processing plant. The operators abandoned the site in 2003 without providing a closure plan in keeping with Environmental Permit requirements.

NEPA took enforcement action against AUSJAM by issuing a Notice of Intent to Suspend the Permit. The notice was published in the print media in July 2010. To date, the Agency has had no compliance from the operators who have relocated to Australia.