THE Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is calling for a public meeting following revelations that the facility to extract rare earth elements from the bauxite-mining residue (red mud) will be located on the premises of the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI) within the Hope Gardens complex.
Last week JET gave tentative 'support' to Government's announcement of a pilot to establish the commercial value of rare earth elements in Jamaica's red mud deposits which have the potential to earn millions.
This, after Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell informed the House of Representatives last week Tuesday that researchers from Japanese Company Nippon Light Metal Company Limited — a publicly traded aluminium supplier headquartered in Tokyo — had confirmed high concentrations of rare earth elements in Jamaica's red mud.
The company said following analysis, it was established that Jamaica's red mud has significant concentrations of rare earth elements, particularly in comparison to other areas, and that those elements can be extracted efficiently.
Speaking with the Jamaica Observer last week JET's founder and Chief Executive Officer Diana McCaulay said "broadly" JET was "in favour of using waste product to investigate economic opportunities", but was awaiting further details from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) before making any definitive statements.
Based on new information received from NEPA, JET is now voicing concern about the location of the extraction facility.
"In principle, JET supports using waste materials to create new products and economic opportunities, this particular project is a research facility which will be located at the premises at the Jamaica Bauxite Institute within the Hope Gardens complex. It is therefore in close proximity to many workplaces and residential areas; an urgent public meeting should be held with stakeholders so that details of the project can be discussed," JET said in a statement issued to the media on Monday.
According to JET, "it would have preferred that the facility be located close to the red mud lakes, to avoid the transportation of red mud across the island".
However, the environmental watchdog group said given that the project is "relatively small in scope, if properly regulated and controlled, need not cause impacts to surrounding communities".
JET is calling on NEPA, in the meantime, "to ensure that storage areas for acid and the treatment ponds are bermed (or otherwise protected) to ensure there is no spillage, particularly during periods of heavy rain".
"We note that there is to be a waste area for residues and various clean-up methods using vegetation are to be tested in this waste pond, we are not clear what will happen to this waste in the event that the pilot project is unsuccessful," JET said Monday.
The environmental group is, therefore, recommending that "the closure plan should consider the return of the waste to the mud lake from which it was sourced". It is also insisting that "the closure plan should be finalised before the project commences, the plan for the waste material should be stated and approved, and a bond should be posted by the investor, to ensure any clean-up, however unlikely, does not have to be paid for by taxpayers".
On Monday, JET said given the close proximity of human settlements, it also believes that any incident or spill should be reported immediately to NEPA — within hours — and that there should be identified avenues for citizens to submit their concerns or complaints both to JBI and to NEPA.
Nippon Light Metal in September last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the JBI for the establishment of the pilot project to determine the scope of the commercial project. Nippon Light Metal's ultimate objective is to extract some 1,500 metric tons per annum.
The pilot plant study will seek to specifically map the potential impact on land, water and air and the effect of neutralising the by-products of rare earth elements extraction. Rare earth elements or lanthanides, are extremely valuable elements which require advanced technology for their extraction so as to realise their commercial value. The commodity that will be extracted, are currently being traded at rates up to US$3,500 per kilogramme.
Nippon Light Metal boasts annual revenues of over US$7 billion and more than 10,000 employees.