Barbuda Sandmining Nears Disaster Levels

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Environment Articles

Thursday, 22 March 2012 02:30

By Everton Barnes

Antigua St John's - There have been renewed calls for an end to sandmining operations in Barbuda, as this activity has reached a stage that could spell an environmental disaster for the sister island.

The call came from Council member and senator, Arthur Nibbs, who wants Chairman Kelvin Punter to urgently convene a village meeting to discuss the sandmining operations.

“The sandmining operation has reached the last ridge at Palmetto Point," Nibbs said. "This ridge serves as a breaker that protects the island from large waves that may be generated by storms. If this ridge is removed by sand mining, I fear that Barbuda would then be vulnerable to large waves and could lead to a disaster situation on the island."

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He said the people of Barbuda should be involved in whatever decision is made, as the funds generated from mining support many jobs. “We have to determine whether or not we will go after the dollar, or act now to protect our environment, now, and in the future,” he said.

According to Nibbs, the Environmental Division conducted a study on the impact of sand mining on the Barbuda environment three years ago, and recommended that the operation should stop.

“Armed with that report, the Council met with the Cabinet to seek financial assistance for the island to replace the funds it would lose when the mining stops. The government gave us a commitment that it would assist, but it failed to live up to that commitment. Faced with that reality, the Council had no choice but to resume sandmining operations,” Senator Nibbs explained.

Now Nibbs said he firmly believes that sandmining should end, even though he recognises that it would have a severe economic impact. “We should stop the mining immediately," he said. "Even if it means that we go back to the government and make our case for assistance."


He disclosed that during the height of mining operations, the Council collected as much as $9 M annually. But he noted that this figure has been significantly reduced.

Nibbs is also raising concern about the garbage collection process on Barbuda. He said someone proposed to use his equipment to assist with the collection, but the Health and Safety Committee has not met since January to agree to the proposal.

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