Farmers in Jamaica upset over bauxite payments

International bauxite companies operating in Jamaica are being accused by farmers of pocketing millions of dollars that should be paid to them for property purchased for mining purposes.

The payment to persons for crops on lands purchased by the bauxite companies has long been a source of discontent for many persons who claim they are paid "pittance".

But at least one of the companies operating locally has rejected this claim.

"I reject the notion that the industry has any vested interest in exploiting farmers," said Leo Lambert, corporate services manager at Jamalco.

"There is an agreed compensation structure. If there is general recognition that changing circumstances warrant a review of rates there is an established framework to do so," added Lambert.

Jamaica Bauxite Institute representative, Diane Gordon, has agreed that the payment to farmers is done using an outdated crop compensation guide provided by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).

According to Gordon, the compensation to the farmers is determined by RADA when all circumstances are considered including the size and maturity of trees.

"We would work with them (RADA) but we do not set any price and, of course, each crop has a different value. But as I said before the compensation guide is outdated," explained Gordon.

She noted that farmers who believe that the compensation from the bauxite company is inadequate can get an independent valuation.

However, one Manchester farmer told The Sunday Gleaner that he was not aware he had that option.

According to the farmer, Neville Mullings, his property was mined by a company working for Alumina Partners.

"Yes. Yes. I am a farmer, so crops were here. A man representing the mining company valued the crops on the property and I remember getting $300 for a hill of yam.

"But one hill of yam can give you 40 to 50 pounds. And at $30 per pound, you can make much more than what you get paid for by the bauxite company," said Mullings.

"If you have a small plot with agricultural produce you may get a few hundred thousand dollars one time. But you could also plant at different locations on your property and you could make that annually if they didn't find bauxite. Instead, you only get that money one time."

Mullings also alleged that the bauxite companies are not planting trees on the reclaimed lands, making them susceptible to flooding and long periods of drought.

The concerns of the farmers have been noted by Mining Minister Phillip Paulwell, who told a recent Gleaner Editors' Forum that the time may be right for a review of the legislation governing the operation of bauxite companies.

He is being supported by political colleague and Member of Parliament for South East St Elizabeth, Richard Parchment.

Jamaica's Mining Act, which dates back to 1947, makes it clear that the occupier of land earmarked for mining "is eligible for reasonable compensation for live and dead stock, crops, trees and buildings or works".

The act also notes that "if reasonable compensation cannot be agreed on, a magistrate may be asked to intervene".