The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is reporting that at a meeting convened on Monday, 1 February 2010, with the management of Windalco the seriousness of the environmental problem was emphasized.  In addition, it was pointed out by the Agency that the company was in breach of two of the eleven Specific Conditions of its Permit issued in 2004.  

The meeting was requested by the Management of Windalco after a Warning Notice was served by NEPA on Friday, 29 January 2010. Windalco outlined measures being taken to alleviate the dust problem from its residual mud disposal area at Battersea, Kendal, Manchester.   

At the meeting, which also included representatives of the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI), Windalco also outlined a number of actions to reduce the dust nuisance.  These include engaging overseas technical support to assist with managing the problem, installing a third tower (sprinkler) and completing the installation of piping to wet the southern area by Wednesday, 3 February 2010, plowing selected surfaces followed by berming, covering of surfaces with grass and using the fire trucks services to apply water to surfaces.     

In addition, Windalco was instructed to install additional particulate monitoring stations at the southern and western boundaries to measure the dust levels impacting the surrounding communities of New Green and Ingleside.   

The measures to be taken by Windalco will result in a marked reduction in the dust nuisance by Friday, 5 February 2010 thereby alleviating the residents’ discomfort.  Full compliance should be achieved within a month.  

NEPA is satisfied with the actions proposed to reduce the dust nuisance by the bauxite company but made it clear to Windalco that the immediate and long-term measures must be sustainable. If Windalco reneges on its commitment the company will face additional enforcement actions.   

Windalco will provide daily reports to NEPA and the JBI and the Agency will continue to monitor the disposal site to ensure that the measures outlined by Windalco are implemented.