Bauxite plant dust pollution affecting Lindeners

Aug 27, 2011 News

– requisite technology promised, not yet implemented

After enduring decades of dust pollution, the residents of Silvertown, Christianburg in the mining town of Linden are calling on the Ministry of Health, EPA and other relevant authorities to investigate the Bosai Bauxite Plant and what used to be the old Linmine Bauxite Plant located in the heart of Linden which is producing the dust.
Residents explained that a number of them have been diagnosed with respiratory illnesses and even cancer. Persons who are asthmatic and suffer from sinuses have experienced much difficulty.
Secondly, and similar to the Cane Grove dust situation, the maintenance of clean homes has been rendered quite difficult.
However, residents said they were promised by Omai, the previous operator of this plant that dust-collecting technology would be installed. This never materialized. With the taking over of the plant by the Chinese company, Bosai, the promise was again touted. To date, no dust collecting technology has been installed.

Residents of Linden expressing their concerns at a recent AFC press conference.

Bosai has in fact mentioned a deadline of September 13, 2011 for the installation of this apparatus.
However, the Alliance For Change (AFC) has indicated that information reaching its councillors on the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) suggests that this September 13 deadline would not be met.
National Coordinator of the AFC, Neilson McKenzie, and a group of residents at a recent press conference at the party’s headquarters expressed disgust at the present situation in the mining town.
McKenzie said for more than 40 years, the residents of Silvertown, Christianburg and Mackenzie are suffering from the dust situation, and the New Silver City Secondary School, it should be noted, is located in proximity to the dust-emitting bauxite plant.
McKenzie explained that the staff at the school had said that there are days when the dust is excessive, heavy, and comes with an unbearable stench, similar to that of rotten eggs.
As a result, he said, the windows of the school have to be kept closed, which in turn causes its own ventilation problems.
Adding that a number of air conditioning units were promised and donated, but were never installed, McKenzie pointed out that it is a fact that a number of pupils have had to be taken to the hospital because of this dust pollution.
He said the party submits that this is an issue which should have previously engaged the attention of the Ministry of Education.
“The AFC contends that when one contemplates the duration of this problem and the very clear cut solution that exists; the unacceptability of this situation comes to the fore.”
Residents said that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been apprised of this issue. There was a meeting at the level of the RDC involving both Bosai and the EPA. However, residents have not received any relief in spite of the involvement of the EPA.
“We have certainly seen the negative consequences of the failure to include firm clauses of social responsibity in the irresponsible actions of Rusal who has demonstrated contempt for the workers of Linden,” McKenzie said.

1 thoughts on “Bauxite plant dust pollution affecting Lindeners”

rekniht August 27, 2011 at 1:50 pm

how come NOW ,,,, “only now” this DUST is a bother ???????????????????????

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