BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Sept. 1, 2022
The Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, Hon. Orlando Habet, said during an interview this week that he has visited the Gales Point community and confirmed that the residents are opposed to Vulcan Material Company’s proposal to establish a mining operation to extract limestone from the Sugar Hills located on the White Ridge Farm near the village. Minister Habet said that those hills serve a number of critical functions and are a landmark that can be seen by those traveling from the direction of Belize City to Gales Point by boat.
He remarked, “I know that the people are really strongly against it, not only because of the material that could possibly end up in the sea and affect the alkalinity of the ocean, change the entire biodiversity of the area. We are also concerned that if those hills are broken down, that is the only landmark from Belize City by boat over to Gales Point, but also on the other side of biodiversity, there are a lot of animal species that will be affected, so really the Ministry does not look at it favorably either.”
This is yet another declaration of non-support by a Cabinet member in regard to Vulcan Material Company’s proposal to set up its mining operation in Belize. It must be noted that, as previously reported, the company’s mining operation in Mexico was shut down by the Mexican government due to severe and irreparable environmental damage caused in the area.
While at this point the government appears to have sided with members of the Gales Point community who are vehemently opposed to the project, the multi-billion-dollar, US-based company continues its efforts to carry out public information campaigns and meet with government officials. It is also seeking to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment.
“Anybody can apply, but whether or not it will be approved is something else. But hopefully, the government will have to decide, if not now — rather sooner than later — on what kind of development it really wants going forward,” Minister Habet said.
Notably, Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining, and Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Cordel Hyde has rejected the company’s advances. Additionally, the Prime Minister, Hon. John Briceño, in a recent interview said that he does not think Cabinet will approve the company’s proposal and the Gales Point community’s area representative, Minister of Human Development Hon. Dolores Balderamos Garcia has gone on the record to indicate her support of the members of her constituency who are rejecting the company’s proposals.