More delays for Windalco 2019 Rio Cobre fish kill trial

The case against bauxite mining company Windalco, which is before the St Catherine Parish Court over a 2019 fish kill in the Rio Cobre, continues to face delays.

The trial resumed today in court with the defence calling its second witness, Environmental Consultant Andrene Jones, who gave testimony about how samples are to be collected, proper pH testing, and the chain of custody of samples, among other things.

The bauxite mining company is being represented at the trial by Jacqueline Samuel-Brown, Queen’s Counsel, Stephanie Ewbanks, and Ronaldo Richards.

Dwayne Green, from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, is prosecuting the matter.

The trial was set to continue tomorrow, but presiding Senior Parish Court Judge Desiree Alleyne indicated that she has a heavy roster and there is a lack of judges available to take on cases.

As a result, the trial was pushed back to February 16, 2026.

Allegations before the court are that in 2019, effluent from Windalco escaped into the Rio Cobre, causing a massive fish kill and damage to other aquatic organisms.

Residents of Kent Village and surrounding areas were reportedly adversely affected by the discharge of the raw effluent into the river.

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) conducted an investigation and subsequently served an enforcement notice on the company.

It was later summoned to court for breaches of the Wildlife Protection Act.

- Rasbert Turner

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.