Three years after Chinese state-owned mining giant Jiuquan Iron and Steel Company (JISCO) acquired the largest bauxite to alumina refinery in Jamaica, residents want the company to relocate and to better compensate them for the plant\u2019s adverse health effects.<\/p>\n
More than 30 residents in Upper and Lower Warminster in the southwest parish of St. Elizabeth say mining activities have compromised air quality, leaving households with spiraling health care costs. Clean water is now less accessible and some small-scale farmers say they have abandoned production as they dig deeper in their pockets to put food on the table.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe company\u2019s future is well secure, but what about ours?\u201d one local resident asked.<\/p>\n
Jamaican officials lobbied and secured<\/a> the US$300 million investment from the government of Gansu province in north-central China, where JISCO is headquartered, in 2016. It acquired the refinery from Russian conglomerate UC Rusal. JISCO then invested a further US$60 million to reopen the plant, which was closed in 2009 as the global financial crisis deepened.<\/p>\n Jamaican and Chinese officials celebrated the deal \u2013 one of the largest investments by an international company in Jamaica \u2013 as a \u201cwin-win\u201d development, which created 800 new jobs. Data<\/a> from Jamaica\u2019s central bank<\/a> shows that it drove foreign direct investment above pre-crisis levels.<\/p>\n For communities on the frontline, however, the impacts are most keenly felt on their health and property.<\/p>\n On March 6, more than 30 residents met to lament what they say as JISCO\u2019s blatant disregard for their right to a healthy environment. They condemned the company\u2019s compensation scheme \u2013 many have settled but cite pressure to do so \u2013 as undermining.<\/p>\n They also allege the company will only cover their medical expenses if they visit its designated doctor, who prescribes the same treatment irrespective of the complaint; antibacterial soap, eye drops, and cough medicine.<\/p>\n \u201cMy daughter took sick, they wanted me to take her to their doctor. I sent her, and she came back, and things got worse. I said to them, I need to take her to my doctor,\u201d one resident explained.<\/p>\nCompensation<\/h2>\n