Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer

BROWN'S TOWN, St. Ann:

After many years of seeking compensation for damage to their homes, allegedly caused by bauxite-mining operations, over 400 residents of South West St. Ann have now decided to seek redress through the courts.

The residents, through their attorney, and member of parliament for the area, Ernest Smith, have taken out lawsuits against General Compresser Services Limited of May Pen, Clarendon, and the St. Ann Jamaica Bauxite Partners, naming them as first and second defendant, respectively.

Mr. Smith told The Gleaner that he has already filed lawsuits on behalf of over 200 residents and is making preparations to file at least another 200 suits.

These actions, he said, will seek to compel the companies to fully compensate the residents for damage done to their homes and property during mining operations.

Mr. Smith said the average cost of these suits is $200,000.

Sources within the bauxite-mining sector have described the lawsuits as landmark cases, with serious implications for bauxite-mining communities across the island. This, they say, could result in the bauxite companies paying out millions of dollars to affected homeowners.

Over 100 cases

At least 100 of the cases came up for mention in the Brown's Town Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, but had to be put off until November 1 due to the absence of attorney-at-law, Nadine Lawson, who is also the manager for legal services at St. Ann Jamaica Bauxite Partners (formerly Kaiser Bauxite company).

In a letter to the court, Ms. Lawson said she had a previous engagement in the Supreme Court and could not be available.

She requested a trial date for March 8 next year, but this was met with strong objections from Mr. Smith, who said several of the affected homes had leaking roofs and that it was unfair for the residents to wait until next year for the cases to be heard. Resident Magistrate Carol Edwards then set November 1 as the new mention date.

Mr. Smith, a Jamaica Labour Party MP, said that he has been writing to both companies trying to get them to reach a settlement with the residents but that they have continued to deny responsibility. He said he had no other option but to put the matter before the courts. The affected communities include Rosetta, Green Hill, Clydesdale, and Armadale and all other communities within the bauxite-mining belt.