Dr. Carlton Davis, the Cabinet secretary and chairman of the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI), the agency that set policy for the bauxite/alumina industry, was reported in the Dec 27 Gleaner to have said, "If it is going to cause a world war, I wouldn't support any exploration being done. But let's talk about what is the Cockpit Country. I think what is needed is that once we come to some sensible agreement of what is the Cockpit Country we put in some decent management systems." Apparently, Dr. Davis is of the opinion that the Cockpit Country cannot continue as a wilderness area unless the bauxite industry is given a voice in its management, and access to the parts they choose to call something else, such as east of the Barbecue Bottom Road.

Roger Clarke, Minister of Agriculture and Lands, is then reported in the Dec 29 Gleaner as having stated that the GoJ "considered it important to meet with the environmental lobby groups to come up with a practical and sustainable solution to the concerns raised in relation to prospecting in the Cockpit Country." The position of the Cockpit Country Stakeholders Group (CCSG) is that to ensure the continued biological and hydrological integrity of the Cockpit Country, all forms of mining, including bauxite, limestone, and marl, must be prohibited. The choice of words, "practical and sustainable solution", suggests that this is not the approach favoured by Mr Clarke. In this sense, "practical" includes the need to supply ore for a new refinery planned for the north coast.

Another meeting between the CCSG and the GoJ is to take place in early January. We will post the date and time as soon as they've been decided on.

source: http://www.jamaicancaves.org/cockpit-country-bauxite-mining.htm