Noranda builds reservoir in St Ann

Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners has constructed a US$800,000 (approximately J$123 million) reservoir at Belle Tierre, St Ann, which will be used in tackling the dust nuisance in the area.

The rainwater harvesting facility is situated on Noranda's mining lands and can hold approximately 17 million gallons of water. It was officially commissioned into service on December 21, 2021 during a service that was attended by Mining Minister Robert Montague.

The commissioning of the facility comes one month before the Government, through the Natural Resources Conservation Authority, approved the release of approximately 1,324 hectares of lands in the parish to Noranda for mining.

In relation to the reservoir at Belle Tierre, Montague said that the surrounding communities have been complaining for years about being impacted by dust. He said that the facility will enable the bauxite company to increase its road-wetting activities.

"So, it is a major investment by Noranda in response to the cries of community members. There is a submersible pump, the place is well lit and fenced to keep people away," Montague said.

The minister indicated that prior to the reservoir, Noranda trucked water from Discovery Bay that is often a time-consuming and potentially hazardous activity, which impeded the daily lives of Jamaicans.

For his part, Delroy Dell, vice-president and country manager for Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners, said the Belle Tierre reservoir represents an aspiration of the company for more than two decades.

"I am very pleased and happy that we are able to complete this very important project and put us in a very strong position, that as our mining footprint expands, we are able to manage any additional requirements for dusting," Dell said.