THE EDITOR, Sir:

ON THE matter of bauxite mining in the Cockpit Country, I ask the opponents and environmentalists, what's the alternative to sustaining the economy? Mining is being done responsibly worldwide. Similar mining strategies can and will be applied to mining in the Cockpit country.

It seems the opponents are living in the '60s when mining was done irresponsibly where literally no land restoration was practised. Today it is much different with land being restored and in some cases returned to agricultural use.

I know the Cockpit Country well. I cannot recall seeing any environ-mentalist in the area reaching out to the community, not to mention educating the people about deforestation, which is common. So, why this sudden interest in the Cockpit Country? Are the environ-mentalists aware how the people in that area make a living? Are environmentalists and other opponents willing to create enough inertia to deny these people an opportunity for economic gain?

Mocho in Clarendon and the south Manchester area are good preliminary models for mining in the Cockpit Country.

I am, etc.,

L. WILLIAMS

willwed@hotmail.com

P.O. Box 2000

Mulberry, Florida

Via Go-Jamaica