The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ABOUT 80 jobs in Grand Bahama are at risk as Bahama Rock prepares to cease production on September 18 as its permitted limestone reserves near exhaustion.

The company, which employs 82 Bahamians, said its operations have reached a critical point as declining reserves force an impending shutdown.

Bahama Rock has confirmed temporary layoffs involving hourly workers as a result of dwindling reserves and the expected shutdown.

The development has raised concerns not only over potential job losses, but also the broader economic fallout, with the company contributing an estimated $25m annually to the island’s economy.

Bahama Rock, operated by Martin Marietta, is an aggregate mining operation that has proposed acquiring and mining 270 acres of the former Bahamas Cement Company (BCC) plant site as part of the Freeport Harbour expansion. It is seeking approval from the government.

In July, the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) held a public consultation meeting to discuss the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed project and document residents’ concerns.

Many residents of West Grand Bahama have expressed strong opposition to the project, claiming that past blasting activities by Bahama Rock damaged their homes and caused noise and dust nuisances.

Last week, Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce president Ralph Hepburn and board members met with Bahama Rock officials and toured the facility to get a better understanding of the project and the issues raised in the EIA.

Mr Hepburn said the Chamber is expected to release a statement on Wednesday.

In the meantime, Bahama Rock has denied suggestions that it is using the potential loss of jobs to pressure the government into approving the proposed project at the former Bahamas Cement Company site.

According to the company, the BCC property could provide access to additional limestone reserves, allowing Bahama Rock to continue its operations and help preserve jobs.

Bahama Rock also said it supports a thorough environmental review of the proposed BCC project, stressing that it does not view the situation as a choice between employment and environmental protection.

Instead, the company said the goal should be to find a solution that safeguards jobs, investment and the country’s long-term supply of construction materials while ensuring environmental concerns are properly addressed.

TJ Mackey, general manager at Bahama Rock, could not be reached for comment up to press time.